South East Council of Traditional Rulers and the Representatives of Igbo Archbishops and Bishops have commended the Nnamdi Kanu-led Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, for allowing the Anambra State governorship election to hold peacefully.
The group in a statement signed by His Grace, Most Rev. Anthony Obinna, His Majesty, Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe, and His Grace, Most Rev. (Dr) Chibuzo Raphael Opoko, JP, also commended IPOB for listening to its appeal by calling off the Monday sit-at-home order.
‘This has offered some relief to the already distressed social and economic life of our people,’ the group said.
The body said it is relieved that the Anambra State Gubernatorial Election was conducted without any major incidents or breach of the peace.
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It also commends the people of Anambra State, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Security Forces, the National Peace Committee, and all the other actors who contributed to the successful conduct of the election.
However, the joint body said it is highly disturbed by the persistent complaints by the IPOB legal team about the difficulties it encounters in dealing with the Department of State Services (DSS) and, especially, the sad events which occurred during Kanu’s appearance in court last Wednesday, November 10.
It urged the court to affirm the fundamental rights of Kanu, his lawyers, and other stakeholders.
‘Failure to do so would lend weight to the suspicion in some quarters of a planned secret trial, as well as neutralise all the efforts being made to establish peace in the South East,’ the group said.
Furthermore, the joint group said it acknowledged the statement by the Attorney-General & Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami SAN, in which he affirmed that the Federal Government was open to a political solution to Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s case.
‘This statement is in line with the proposal earlier made by this Joint Body and by other well-meaning persons and groups in Nigeria. This body therefore eagerly awaits the concrete steps that would be taken in this regard,’ it said.
‘[We] acknowledge the roles played by various other Igbo organizations and groups in fostering peace in the South East zone and call on all to sustain the current effort until true peace, based on justice and equity, is achieved in our land,’ it added.
Nnamdi Kanu’s case which was held on Thursday last week was adjourned due to the absence of the defence lawyers.
AFRICA TODAY NEWS, NEW YORK