Prominent Nigerian businessman Obi Cubana has said that there will be no peace for the Igbo people unless the detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, is released.
In a social media post on Friday, the businessman stated that “ala Igbo,” the Igbo homeland, would “never be the same again” without Kanu’s freedom.
His lengthy post began by addressing the widespread unease in Nigeria following a series of security crises and Kanu’s recent sentence to life imprisonment.
“Umunne m. The events of the past few days has left everyone perplexed and down cast,” he wrote, listing the US designation of Nigeria as a country of “particular concern,” a spate of mass kidnappings, and the killing of a brigadier general.
“The mood in the country is so bad, and most reasonable people are worried,” he added.
Mr Cubana revealed that he has been part of behind-the-scenes efforts to secure a political solution for Mr Kanu’s release.
“On two auspicious occasions amidst numerous engagements within the last 3months, myself alongside other well meaning Nigerians have sat down on a table with the Deputy Speaker and then with the Son of the President,” he stated.
He said the discussions covered “the insecurity, the new tax regimeโฆ and the political solutions that can lead to the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.”
Asserting that “a lot of people have been tirelessly working behind the scene,” he warned that this was “no time to further divide us.”
He then issued his stark warning on the consequences of inaction.
“One thing is very clear here: No Igbo man or woman will have peace if MNK does not regain his freedom, and ala Igbo will NEVER be the same again,” he wrote.
“Tempers are high, words are being exchanged but one thing is also clear; we all want MNK out, and we will NEVER rest till MNK is out.”
Mr Cubana made a direct appeal to the president, saying, “Our dear President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, this is the time for you to heed the cry of our people and free Nnamdi Kanu.”
He concluded by calling for a unified Nigeria and advocating for dialogue, writing, “Constructive agitations remain the bedrock upon which great societies are built, but solutions will only be found on the negotiation table.”
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