Businessman, Obinna Iyiegbu, popularly known as Obi Cubana, has expressed concern over the country’s worsening mood and renewed appeals for the release of detained IPOB leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

Vanguard reports that Kanu was on Thursday, sentenced to life imprisonment for terrorism.

In a statement on Friday, Cubana said a series of troubling events – including the United States’ designation of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern,” multiple mass kidnappings across Kebbi, Kwara and Niger states, and the killing of a Brigadier-General – have left citizens “perplexed and downcast.”

He noted that alongside other influential Nigerians, he had participated in two high-level meetings in the last three months: one with Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, and another with Seyi Tinubu, son of President Bola Tinubu, focused on tackling insecurity and other serious issues militating against the country’s growth and advancement.

According to him, the discussions dwelt on insecurity, the impact of the new tax policies on businesses, regulatory challenges involving Customs, FIRS and NAFDAC, and possible political solutions to secure Nnamdi Kanu’s release.

Cubana stressed that the continued detention of Kanu remained a major source of tension in the South-East. “No Igbo man or woman will have peace if MNK does not regain his freedom, and Ala Igbo will never be the same again,” he said.

He wrote: “The events of the past few days have left everyone perplexed and downcast.

“Starting with the designation of Nigeria by the USA as a country of particular concern, the kidnap of the school girls in Kebbi, kidnap of church goers in Kwara, the killing of a Brigadier General, the sentencing of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, and most recently the kidnap of over 50 students from the Catholic school in Niger state.

“The mood in the country is so bad, and most reasonable people are worried!

“On two auspicious occasions amidst numerous engagements within the last 3 months, myself alongside other well meaning Nigerians have sat down on a table with the Deputy Speaker, Benjamin Kalu and then with the Son of the President, Seyi Tinubu, and the burning issues discussed were the insecurity, the new tax regime as it affects businesses, ease of doing business in the country, customs, FIRS, NAFDAC and the political solutions that can lead to the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

“I can tell you that numerous efforts have been going on, on these issues.

“My dear brothers and sisters, this is no time to further divide us. A lot of people have been tirelessly working behind the scene devoting time and resources to see that our brother Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is free and reunited with us.

“One thing is very clear here: No Igbo man or woman will have peace if MNK does not regain his freedom, and ala Igbo will NEVER be the same again…….

“Tempers are high, words are being exchanged but one thing is also clear; we all want MNK out, and we will NEVER rest till MNK is out.

“Our dear President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, this is the time for you to heed the cry of our people and free Nnamdi Kanu.

“Most importantly, we are working on a Nigeria where each of us can live and operate freely without fear regardless of ethnicity, religion and culture.

“Constructive agitations remain the bedrock upon which great societies are built, but solutions will only be found on the negotiation table.” (Vanguard)