The South-east Governors Forum has resolved to meet President Bola Tinubu to seek the release of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
This is contained in a communiqué issued at the end of the forum’s closed-door meeting at the Government House, Enugu, on Tuesday.
Mr Kanu, who is facing terrorism charges at the Federal High Court, Abuja, has been in detention since he was rearrested in June 2021 and repatriated to Nigeria from Kenya under controversial circumstances.
The governors of Imo (Hope Uzodinma), Ebonyi (Francis Nwifuru), Abia (Alex Otti) and Anambra (Charles Soludo) attended the meeting which was hosted by Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State.
The Chairperson of the forum and Governor of Imo State, Mr Uzodinma, who read the communiqué to reporters, said the forum also resolved to tackle insecurity in the South-east.
“The forum resolved to visit Mr President (Tinubu) to discuss pressing issues concerning the South-east region.
“The forum also resolved to interface with the federal government to secure the release of Mr Nnamdi Kanu,” he said.
The governors did not indicate when they will meet with Mr Tinubu over the release of the IPOB leader.
Obasanjo’s solidarity visit
Mr Uzodinma said the forum received a delegation comprising former President Olusegun Obasanjo, a former Commonwealth Secretary-General, Emeka Anyaoku and the Obi of Onitsha, Alfred Achebe, during their Tuesday meeting.
He said the delegation came on a solidarity visit to the forum.
Insecurity in South-east
The chairperson said the forum deliberated on the reviewed report of the South-east Security and Economic Summit held in Owerri, Imo State, on 28 September 2023.
The governor said they have agreed to implement the part of the report pertaining to security and economic integration in the South-east
He added that they also affirmed their desire to put “actionable plans on the key issues agreed” in the report.
