Damien Okeke Okene, a chieftain of the apex Igbo socio-political organization, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has stated that President Muhammadu Buhari is interested in keeping Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, imprisoned.
Okene, the National Vice Chairman of Ohanaeze, stated that Buhari is aware that with Kanu behind bars, the Southeast will remain insecure.
Okene told reporters that Buhari dislikes the idea of Kanu being idolized throughout the Southeast.
He bemoaned that the President’s recent remarks had played a significant role in Kanu’s detention.
“If you assess the President’s comments and utterances before the court sitting, you will understand that he was not interested in releasing the young man because he knows that doing so will bring happiness to the people of the South-East, who are longing for his release.
“Although, the court has adjourned the matter, Buhari’s recent utterances in the build-up to the court sitting greatly influenced the decision of the court and the President knows that keeping Kanu means that the insecurity in the South-East will continue because the people see him as their idol and they want him released,” Ogene said.
Recall that Buhari recently said the IPOB leader would be made to account for the outrage against the Nigerian government.
Buhari spoke during his meeting with the United Kingdom, UK, Prime Minister, Boris Johnson in Kigali, Rwanda.
He also recounted how Kanu once jumped bail and eloped to Europe, where he propagated his agitation for Nigeria’s break-up.