Why Kanu’s release’ll save Nigeria from collapse — Igbo group

The United States Military Veterans of Igbo Descent has said the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and a return of Nigeria to 1960/63 regional autonomy is the only way to mitigate Nigeria socio-economic and security problems and reduce the risk of imminent collapse of the country.

The group stated this in a letter addressed dated September 16, 2024 and signed by its President, Chief Dr. Sylvester Onyia, and the Secretary, Dr. Godson Obiagwu.

The group stated, “In 2017, shortly after the leader of the Biafra indigenous people, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, was freed from illegal detention,  the late Prof. Ben Nwabueze, Evangelist Elliot U. Uko, and the South-East governors met in Enugu state to discuss the demands of the Biafran people.

“On August 30, 2017, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu made these demands before the South-East governors, who were chaired by Engr. Dave Umahi”.

According to the group, Kanu’s demands then include making Enugu a grade one international airport, the dredging of River Niger, upgrading of Owerri airport to a functional Cargo airport, Port Harcourt Sea ports to be made to operate in full capacity and the revival of all moribund industries in the South-East and South-South to provide job opportunities for thousands of our youths and graduates from higher institutions.

“Following announcement of his demands to the South-East, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu reiterated that if they failed to address these problems, Biafrans would demand a referendum on their status as foreigners in Nigeria, while Prof. Ben Nwabueze informed him that Nigeria was better off under the 1960s—1963 Constitution – (A restructured Nigeria).

“Respecting Prof. Ben Nwabueze as his father, he consented to restructuring along 1960 to 1963 constitution, up until two weeks later, when Nigerian government security agents broke into his home in Isiama Afaraukwu Ibeku, Umuahia North Abia State of Nigeria, and killed twenty-eight persons.

“Many lives were lost when Biafrans, imprisoned in all government detention facilities across Nigeria, some of them were shot and killed, but no account of their deaths was provided just because they were Biafrans.

“His parents died because they were unable to withstand the shock. In light of the fact that Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is still being held without authorization, both the North and the South have agreed that Nigeria should be restructured,” the group noted