Ohanaeze Ndigbo has urged the Federal Government to grant Presidential pardon to Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB.

This was contained in a statement issued by the Engr. Chidi Ibeh-led Ohanaeze Ndigbo.

Ibeh, who called for peace in Igboland, said Ndigbo would not disown Kanu in his moment of trial.

He said “The abduction and blindfolding of Kalu was a total infringement on his fundamental human rights, which I stand to condemn into to.

“However, one of the gains of his rearrest is that it definitely would foster peace and security in Igboland.

“This is time to negotiate and find a permanent peace and security in the land by the FG. If properly managed without any punishment of any type, it would put to an end the violence ravaging the entire Igboland.

“His rearrest and extradition to Nigeria for the continuation of his trial would bring peace, good security and unity amongst Ndigbo and those from other geopolitical zones doing business in Igboland.

“The Federal Government should take advantage of this scenario and integrate Ndigbo in power sharing, equity and cooperation by making 2023 Presidential bid the right of Ndigbo.”

He said Kanu is an Igbo son and they “cannot disown him for misapplication and misappropriation of words and decisions in his thoughts, actions, and inactions.”

The apex Igbo socio-cultural organization, added that there was nothing bad in Kanu’s trial in the court, stressing “that makes him a human being, but not an animal, against the position of the son of the Governor of Kaduna State, who opined that he should be locked up with a cow; this thinking of his is barbaric and an aberration from a Governor’s son.”

Ibeh said Kanu should be forgiven, requesting the Federal Government to temper justice with mercy, grant him presidential amnesty, and rehabilitation.

“Now that he is available, we are, therefore, appealing to FG to hand him over to the leadership of Ohanaeze for caution and redress.

“Hitherto, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu had denied allegations on the incessant, indiscriminate, and extra judicial killings, insecurity ravaging our land.

“Kalu should be integrated in the scheme of things in Nigeria.

“May I use this medium as well to caution our various youth groups not to get involved in any act tantamount to bridging peace and order in the land. They should remain calm, law abiding, go about your normal legitimate activities and allow the law to take its course and bearing under this circumstance.

“We ask the FG under President Buhari to adhere strictly to the norms of rule of law, devoid of witch-hunting or premeditated judgement.”