Atiku Will Release Nnamdi Kanu If Elected President - PDP
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential campaign council (PCC) says Atiku Abubakar, the Presidential candidate of the party will grant detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, unconditional release if he wins in the upcoming election.
Kanu has been detained by the Department of State Services (DSS) since June 2021, when the Federal Government intercepted and returned him to Nigeria from Kenya, accusing him of terrorism.
However, on October 13, 2022, the Court of Appeal in Abuja dismissed the terrorism charge. It also cleared him of the seven-count charge pending against him in Abuja's Federal High Court.
But the Federal Government has ignored all of this and instead appealed the decision to the Supreme Court.
Speaking on Monday, the Director-General of the Anambra State PDP-PCC, Prof. Obiora Okonkwo, stated that Atiku would obey the Appeal Court decision ordering Nnamdi Kanu's release.
He also disclosed that the PDP presidential candidate would ‘instil permanent peace’ in parts of the country, especially the Southeast region.
According to him, Atiku is the only candidate with a plan to address the situation in the South-east to the benefit of the region.
Okonkwo called on the people of the Southeast to back Atiku to win the upcoming presidential election.
He said: “I am saying this with every sense of responsibility that Atiku will grant Nnamdi Kanu unconditional release.
"That is in Atiku’s agenda for permanent peace in the South-east. In addition, he will also apply the political solution to release all those genuine IPOB agitators in detention without trial.
“Atiku’s government will have serious talks with the group and others, with the view to restoring their faith in the country and making them part of the effort for a better Nigeria. However, the criminal elements will be dealt with decisively.
“What we are now therefore saying is for this to happen, peace must reign for election in the South-east, and the need for the South Easterners to fall behind PDP.”