The Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) has reacted to calls by the minority caucus in the house of representatives for the release of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
The lawmakers made the demand on Monday night at the Transcorp Hilton hotel in Abuja following the adoption of a motion by Obi Aguocha, lawmaker representing Ikwuano/Umuahia north/Umuahia south federal constituency of Abia state.
The minority caucus includes members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP), New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Social Democratic Party (SDP), Young Progressives Party (YPP), and African Democratic Congress (ADC).
Aguocha had said Kanu’s release is crucial for national peace, stability, and unity in the south-east.
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The lawmaker called for “strategic engagement” with relevant stakeholders to push for a peaceful and political resolution of the matter.
Reacting, CNG, in a statement on Tuesday by Comrade Jamilu Aliyu Charanchi, its National Coordinator, said: “The Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG), is utterly dismayed and outraged by the treacherous call from unpatriotic members of the House of Representatives Minority Caucus for the release of Nnamdi Kanu.
“This brazen demand is an affront to the victims of Kanu’s terror activities and a slap in the face of the Nigerian people.”
Charanchi recalled that the CNG had on August 7, 2017 reported Nnamdi Kanu to the UN for his acts of terror against Nigerians, adding that “we advocated for declaring Kanu’s group is a terrorist organization, a designation they rightfully hold today.”
The statement said: “We reject this legislative rascality and remind Nigerians that:
“We are shocked that House of Representatives members, including those from Northern Nigeria, are supporting the release of a terrorist being held on charges before a court of competent jurisdiction.
“This is a blatant attempt to subvert the rule of law and undermine the authority of the Nigerian judiciary. Where were they when Nnamdi Kanu and his people were killing and are still killing the Northerners in the east? Where were they when the properties of the Northerners were destroyed by him? Are they elected for their personal benefits or for the interest of the Citizens? It is shameful and disheartening to see a Northern Lawmaker contributing in such an unjust matter.
“Nigerians to rise up and reject this travesty, standing together against terrorism and those who enable it. We will not let the blood of our loved ones be in vain. We will not let terrorism prevail.”
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