Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra State has urged the federal government, led by President Mohammadu Buhari, to release the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, as soon as possible in order to ensure peace and security in the Southeast, particularly during the upcoming general elections.
Soludo made the plea on Saturday, January 14, during a national/presidential campaign rally of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) in Awka, Anambra state.
The governor, who is also the party’s national leader, stated that without Nnamdi Kanu’s release, the Southeast will be troubled before, during, and after the elections.
He said,
“I will urge President Buhari to release Nnamdi Kanu. We need to have heart-to-heart conversation that will bring lasting peace, harmony and security throughout the southeast, and Nigeria in general.
“In that conversation, Nnamdi Kanu need to be present on the table. If Mr. President cannot release him unconditionally, as directed by the court, he should release Kanu to me. I am ready to stand as his surety. I will provide him shelter, and provide him whenever the need be. But the ultimate aim is that Southeast need some peace and security.”
Governor Soludo also praised President Buhari’s administration for making significant strides in completing the second Nigeria Bridge, reconstructing the Enugu/Onitsha expressway, and other infrastructure developments. He also thanked the president for all of his assistance to law enforcement in their fight against crime and criminality.
Prof. Peter Umeadi, APGA’s presidential candidate, stated on the occasion that APGA is the party to beat in the 2023 general election. He stated that APGA’s presidential victory would be a “miracle of the century” for Nigerians, adding that the party has a manifesto that reflects true federalism and that the party is the only true platform to rescue Nigeria from its sorry state.
Chief Victor Ike Oye, the party’s national chairman, stated that the party’s current position gives him great hope that it will sweep polls from top to bottom in the 2023 general election.
He expressed confidence that the APGA will sweep the polls in Anambra state, from the presidency to the national assembly and state assembly, as it has done in the past, and urged all party supporters to work together as one indivisible people to make the dream a reality.
Chief Willie Obiano, former governor of Anambra State and chairman of the APGA BoT, described the party’s presidential candidate, Umeadi, as a round peg in a round hole, and maintained that Nigeria and Nigerians have every reason to entrust their future to APGA and its presidential candidate.
He also emphasized the importance of party members and supporters working together to achieve results. He also urged each candidate to work hard in their respective fields in order to galvanize support for the party.
The handing over of the party’s flags to the presidential candidate, as well as governorship candidates from various states, senatorial and House of Representatives candidates, and candidates for various state assemblies, was a major highlight of the rally.