Prior to Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s inauguration as president of Nigeria on May 29, 2023, Princewil Richard Chimezie, the BNL’s leader, encouraged him to do everything in his power to reduce tensions between the Igbo and Yoruba tribes, two of the nation’s three major ethnic groups.
He stated that one method to accomplish this would be to ensure the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, who has been held captive despite a court order ordering his release.
The 30-year-old Eze Ndigbo of Obigbo, son of the late Eze Richard O Ekegbu, Eze Ndigbo of Rivers State, claimed in an exclusive interview with Newsmen on Friday morning that Kanu’s freedom is a significant issue.
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According to the BnL leader, the controversy and confidence issue that followed his election increased the level of mistrust between the two tribes.
“The incoming President should bridge the gap between Igbos and Yorubas by releasing Nnamdi Kanu.
“Because of the crisis that followed his election…”
In reference to the 14-day deadline his group issued the federal government to release Nnamdi Kanu, which passed last week, he insisted, “We are not going back on that, I only do not know what the boys are planning.”
He identified them as his boys, who are mainly found on the outskirts of the Bakassi Peninsula and are not supporters of their fight for Biafra’s independence.
“I’m in control of my members not followers of the agitation”, he said.
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Chimezie joined the Biafra struggle in 2012 and has since been repeatedly detained and arrested by the DSS, Operation Delta Safe, and the Nigerian police. Nevertheless, he extended gratitude to the state’s former deputy director of the secret police yesterday for identifying with him.
“Let me also use this opportunity to specially thank the first person who surprised me with his call yesterday morning to wish me a happy birthday, the man that has been behind my release twice when I was arrested in Bakassi Peninsula, Sir Solomon, former Deputy Director, Department of State Services, DSS, Cross River State command. I never expected the call.”
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