Insecurity In Anambra Is Caused By FG’s Detention Of Nnamdi Kanu – Gov. Soludo

Prof Charles Soludo, the Governor of Anambra State, has indicated that the security problem in the South-East is primarily due to the Federal Government’s treatment of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the secessionist Indigenous Peoples of Biafra.

The governor recalled that the IPOB’s sit-at-home was called in protest of Kanu’s alleged mistreatment while he was jailed and tried by the government.

Kanu is a component that no one can deny, according to the governor, speaking on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics.

He said, “Let me be clear: you can like it or not like it, you may want to hear it or not. I’m not a regular politician who speaks from both sides of the mouth, I say it as it is. My understanding of the situation in the South-East is that every major organized group needs to be part of the conversation.

“Why did we start the sit-at-home that the children of the South-East have to go to school four days in a week instead of five? How did we start sit-at-home that the woman selling pepper out there; those who depend on daily toil and sweat to earn a living can no longer do that on Monday? Businesses are closing and so on and so forth.

“It is because of Nnamdi Kanu. No matter how you want to wish it away, it is essentially because of Nnamdi Kanu. So, he is a factor; no one can deny that. He is a factor, for anyone who wants to be realistic. Therefore, in a conversation about peace and stability in the South-East, if you discountenance that factor and wish it away, then the person must be living on the moon. It has become a factor. And, therefore, as part of that process of getting down to the fundamental long-term discussion on this matter, we need to get that matter over with.

“What started the sit-at-home was because Nnamdi Kanu was arrested. And what were his supporters saying? They were saying that they would keep this Monday sit-at-home until he is released. We are only arguing and having a counter-narrative to say it does not make sense to now (say because) someone annoys you somewhere else and you then go and lock up your entire family and say they should not eat, they should starve to death, children shouldn’t go to school. I think they have bought that argument.”

One side of the IPOB has agreed to call off the sit-at-home and cooperate with his administration, according to Soludo, while another faction is behind the ongoing attacks in Anambra as well as other parts of the South-East.

The governor asked for Kanu’s trial to be expedited and for the government to make the charges against the IPOB leader public.

Soludo said, “Press the charges and he will be defended. This is Nigeria, (there is) rule of law. The court will take its course expeditiously and let us see where it gets to.

“The longer it lingers without bringing closure to it, the longer you keep the system in suspense,” he said concerning the case against Kanu.