Independence: Ohaneze Ndigbo Seeks Dialogue, Reconciliation Over Kanu

As Nigeria marked its 66th Independence Day, the National President of the Ohanaeze Youth Council, Comrade Igboayaka O. Igboayaka, called on President Bola Tinubu to consider a pathway towards national healing and reconciliation in addressing the continued detention of Nnamdi Kanu.

Igboayaka said Independence Day should not only commemorate the sacrifices made in the struggle for nationhood but should also remind present leaders of the values of justice, liberty, dialogue and reconciliation.

He argued that Kanu’s case remained a sensitive issue, particularly in the South-East, and should be addressed through a broader national conversation.

“We cannot speak about freedom, independence and the sacrifices of our past heroes while ignoring the divisions and grievances that continue to affect our people today,” Igboayaka said.

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“Independence should remind us of the value of liberty and the responsibility of government to build trust among its citizens.”

He appealed to Tinubu to explore what he described as every lawful political option that could facilitate Kanu’s release and contribute to national reconciliation.

According to him, the appeal should not be interpreted as a rejection of the judicial process but as a call for dialogue and reconciliation.

“The call is therefore not presented as a rejection of the judicial process, but as an appeal for dialogue, reconciliation and a political solution to an issue that has remained a source of deep concern in the South-East,” the statement said.

Igboayaka said the Federal Government could engage stakeholders in an effort to rebuild confidence between the government and sections of the South-East that feel alienated from the national project.

He also called for renewed attention to justice and equity.

Kanu’s legal case remains a matter before the courts, making the distinction between judicial proceedings and a political appeal particularly relevant to the discussion.

ValidViewNetwork reports that Igboayaka’s intervention is a political and advocacy appeal rather than a judicial determination of Kanu’s case. Any decision concerning Kanu’s legal status or release would depend on the applicable constitutional, judicial and executive processes.