By ABDULKABIR MUHAMMED

The Anambra State branch of the Civil Liberties Organization (CLO) has appealed to Southeast governors, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, civil society organizations, and religious leaders, to send a powerful delegation to President Tinubu, demanding an unconditional release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the IPOB leader who has been detained over charges of terrorism and similar charges since 2021. This was contained in a statement jointly endorsed by CLO Chairman, Evangelist Comrade Vincent Ezekwueme AMBP-UN, Comrade Damian Ogudike, and Comrade Chidi Mbah, CLO Secretary, and released to newsmen in Awka, Anambra State.

The organization emphasized the power of the president in guaranteeing Nnamdi Kanu's release. It cited the recent amnesty granted by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to offenders, including drug traffickers. CLO noted that the unconditional release of Nnamdi Kanu would promote peace, reduce insecurity, and alleviate political tensions in Nigeria.

“It is of prime importance to note that he is the only person constitutionally vested with such enormous power in view of his recent granting of amnesty to some Nigerians. Its benefits will be very great as it will reduce insecurity, sit-at-home, escalating political tensions, boost economic activities, restore people's faith and hope in government and give the people sense of belonging,” Anambra CLO noted.

Similarly, the group is calling for a powerful delegation of Southeast leaders to visit the governor of Lagos State, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, to halt any further demolition of structures and trade plazas in some parts of the state where the Igbos reportedly dominate. News Express had earlier reported on the demolition of the Lagos International Trade Fair Complex in late September in the Ojo area of the State. The action, which has left many in loss and hardship, has been criticized as unlawful and tribalistic. The CLO also faulted the action, claiming that it has caused unemployment and youth restiveness among the people.

"Similarly, we are appealing to our Igbo leaders to constitute high powered delegation to urgently meet Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to appeal to him to halt continued demolition of structures in some markets in Lagos State, at this unprecedented economic hardship.

This has exacerbated unemployment, idleness, poverty, insecurity, youth restiveness, distrust and uncertainties," Anambra CLO appealed.

It is also calling on patriotic Nigerians to "share in their grief, afflictions, excruciating sufferings, hunger and anger by being sensitive, compassionate, concern, care and empathy for their predicaments."

However, the group is also appealing to unaffected traders to institute Special Trust Fund to ameliorate the sufferings of their fellow traders.

"CLO is equally appealing to unaffected traders to institute Special Trust Fund in support and solidarity for the affected traders and their families’ upkeep."