President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday promised he would consider requests to release the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu.
He made the pledge when he met with a group of leaders from the South-East under the aegis of Highly Respected Igbo Greats.
The group led by a First Republic parliamentarian and former Minister of Aviation, Mbazulike Amaechi, had the meeting with Buhari at the State House, Abuja.
A statement by Buhari’s spokesman, Femi Adesina, quoted him telling the Igbo leaders, “You’ve made an extremely difficult demand on me as leader of this country. The implication of your request is very serious.
“In the last six years, since I became President, nobody would say I have confronted or interfered in the work of the Judiciary. God has spared you, and given you a clear head at this age, with a very sharp memory. A lot of people half your age are confused already.”
Buhari said that an unconditional release of Nnamdi Kanu, who is currently standing trial, runs contrary to the doctrine of separation of powers between the Executive and Judiciary.
Stressing his policy of non-interference with the Judiciary, he explained that when Kanu jumped bail, got arrested and was brought back to the country, “I said the best thing was to subject him to the system.”
“Let him make his case in court, instead of giving very negative impressions of the country from outside. I feel it’s even a favour to give him that opportunity,” he said.
Buhari, at the meeting, also condoled with Amaechi over the recent burial of his wife, and prayed that her soul rest in peace.
Speaking during the meeting, Amaechi described the situation in the South East as “painful and pathetic,” lamenting that businesses have collapsed, education crumbling, and fear beginning to manifest everywhere.
He appealed for a political, rather than military solution in handling Nnamdi Kanu’s matter.
He requested that if Kanu be released to him as the only First Republic Minister alive, “he (Kanu) would no longer say the things he had been saying.”
He assured Nnamdi Kanu would listen to him “not because I have anything to do with them (IPOB), but I am highly respected in Igbo land today.”
Amaechi added that he had interfaced with Nnamdi Kanu twice in the past, and that he listened to him and rescinded orders earlier given on civil disobedience.
“I don’t want to leave this planet without peace returning to my country. I believe in one big, united Nigeria, a force in Africa. Mr President, I want you to be remembered as a person who saw Nigeria burning, and you quenched the fire,” Amaechi told Buhari.
Other members of the Amaechi-led delegation were former Anambra State Governor, Chukwuemeka Ezeife; Bishop Sunday Onuoha of the Methodist Church, former President of Igbo socio-cultural group, Aka Ikenga, Goddy Uwazurike; and Mr Tagbo Amaechi.