Ohanaeze Ndígbo Youth Council Worldwide (OYC) has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to grant presidential pardon to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) Leader, Nnamdi Kanu to enable him enter the country to attend his parents burial.
The call was contained in a statement signed by the OYC President General, Okechukwu Isiguzoro and Secretary, Okwu Nnabuike on Saturday.
Recall that Kanu has been on self-exile since 2017 following the invasion of his Umuahia country home by the army during operation Python Dance.
His parents, who died last year, are to be buried this weekend. His father, Eze I. O. Kanu was until his death, the traditional ruler of Afaraukwu community, Umuahia, in Abia State.
The organization said: “Ohaneze Ndigbo Youth Council Worldwide is worried about the military Presence at Kanu’s Village, Afaraukwu Umuahia, Abia State few days to the burial of Eze I. O. Kanu and his wife.
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“We appeal to President Muhammadu Buhari to consider the international damage it will cause to the reputation and image of Nigeria to the outside world, as the international community is keenly watching to see if there will be any form of human rights violations and abuses by the Nigerian military before, during and after the burial rites of the Igbo paramount ruler and his wife next weekend.
“OYC insists there’s no need for any provocative action promoting violence by Nigerian military before, during and after the burial of Eze Kanu, because Abia State is calm and secure.
“Buhari should pull out the military and accord the last respect for the late King by granting permission and presidential pardon to Nnamdi Kanu to return and bury his parents according to Igbo tradition and culture”.
The Ohanaeze Youth Council also urged the President to attend the burial of the IPOB leader’s late parents or at least send a delegation.
“Such gestures as a presidential pardon to Nnamdi Kanu, release of other Biafra agitators in detention and sending delegation to the burial will be applauded by both the international community and Nigerians at home, and will attract more respect for President Muhammadu Buhari the same way as the presidential gesture granted to the late MKO Abiola,” the group added.
