- Says request difficult and heavy
- Stresses he won’t interfere in judicial process
President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday raised hope of a possible political solution to the incarceration of the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, saying he may consider the request of Igbo leaders for his release.
He, however, ruled out the possibility of his interfering in the on-going judicial process under which Kanu is being tried before a Federal High Court sitting in Abuja.
Speaking while receiving a group under the aegis of Highly Respected Igbo Greats, at the State House, Abuja, the president declared that an unconditional release of Kanu runs contrary to the doctrine of separation of powers between the Executive and Judiciary.
President Buhari told the group led by a First Republic parliamentarian and Minister of Aviation, 93-year-old statesman, Chief Mbazulike Amaechi:
“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 very sharp memory. A lot of people half your age are confused already. But the demand you made is heavy. I will consider it.”
Stressing his policy of non-interference with the Judiciary, the president said when Kanu jumped bail, got arrested and 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 condoled with Chief Amaechi, who recently buried his wife, praying that her soul would rest in peace.
Earlier in his speech, the nonagenarian had described the situation in the South-east as “painful and pathetic”, lamenting that businesses have collapsed, education is crumbling and there is fear everywhere.
He pleaded for a political, rather than military solution, requesting that if Kanu was released to him as the only First Republic Minister still alive, “he would no longer say the things he had been saying,” stressing that he could control him, “not because I have anything to do with them (IPOB), but I am highly respected in Igbo land today”.
Amaechi said twice he had interfaced with Kanu in the past, and the latter rescinded orders earlier given on civil disobedience.
He stressed that: “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.”
Others on Chief Amaechi’s entourage included Chukwuemeka Ezeife, former Governor of Anambra State; Bishop Sunday Onuoha of the Methodist Church; Chief Goddy Uwazurike; former President of Igbo socio-cultural group, Aka Ikenga; and Mr Tagbo Mbazulike Amaechi.
