Former national publicity secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party, Olisa Metuh, has said the detention of IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, was unfair to the people of the South-East.
Metuh disclosed this in a statement on Sunday, in which he called for prayers so that the federal government can grant Kanu’s release.
According to Metuh, Kanu’s release will restore peace and normalcy to the South-East region with a multiplier positive effect on the entire country.
The former PDP spokesperson also decried the “maltreatment and systemic extortion” of South-Easterners by unscrupulous operatives in security agencies and government establishments.
“In the light of the deplorable security situation in the South-East, there is a need for unconditional freedom for Nnamdi Kanu to restore peace and normalcy to the region. Peace in the southeast will have a multiplier effect on the entire country.
“The truth is that many people are not happy with the way and manner Mazi Nnamdi Kanu was abducted in a foreign country and brought to Nigeria in chains to face all kinds of charges. Nnamdi Kanu is viewed by many as suffering for highlighting the plight of the Igbos in present Nigeria,” he said.
Lamenting the plight of South Easterners in Nigeria, Metuh said, “It is evident that Igbos still suffer stigmatisation and unfair treatment in the hands of unscrupulous operatives in security agencies and the Nigerian bureaucracy.
“South East businessmen suffer from systemic extortion in the hands of corrupt Nigerian supervisory officials and such build up resentment by the people in the South East. They pay to survive out of intimidation and harrasment because they are very much aware of their unfair treatment by very hostile officials in government agencies.
“Freedom for Nnamdi Kanu will go a long way to calm frayed nerves and reassure the South East that this country has accommodation for them. Let there be justice, equity and fairness in our country.”
