In a powerful appeal to President Bola Tinubu, Festus Okere, Chairman of the World Igbo Congress (WIC), has called for the release of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). Okere framed this move as a historic opportunity for Tinubu to cement his legacy as a freedom fighter and champion of democracy, while fostering a genuine sense of inclusion for the Igbo people within Nigeria.
Speaking at the WIC Congress in Boston, Massachusetts, Okere emphasized that courts both within Nigeria and internationally have found Kanu innocent and condemned his unlawful rendition. He urged President Tinubu to follow the example set for similarly situated non-Igbo individuals who have been granted freedom, underscoring the need for equity, justice, and fairness to prevail in Nigeria for true national unity and peace.
The Congress's theme was described by Okere as a cultural and historical summons "Wake up!", a call to consciousness for all Umu Igbo, at home and in the diaspora. He cited prominent Igbo leaders of history, including Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe and General Emeka Ojukwu, urging the current generation to uphold Igbo identity, history, and values.
Okere also decried the longstanding political exclusion of Igbos post-Biafra civil war despite their significant contributions to Nigeria’s development. He warned of the existential threats facing the Igbo people in Nigeria and called for unity and resolute ownership of their destiny in the Nigerian political landscape.
This appeal from the World Igbo Congress highlights ongoing ethnic and political tensions in Nigeria and a strong call for reconciliation and inclusivity through justice for key figures like Nnamdi Kanu.