The Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign States of Biafra, MASSOB, has accused the federal government of playing politics with the continued detention of the Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, and Director Radio Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu.
In an interview with Vanguard in Aba, National Director of Information, MASSOB, Chief Sunny Okereafor, lamented that Kanu’s detention has assumed a political dimension where the federal government appears determined to jail him at all cost.
According to him, “How can the federal government continue detaining Nnamdi Kanu when he has been granted bail? What is the difference between the first bail granted him and now the one denied him last week by Justice Tsoho? It is all about politics. There is no doubt that the federal government is playing politics with his detention. But MASSOB wants to let them know that they are playing with fire.
“How can Nigeria claim to be practicing democracy in this prevailing situation where a court of competent jurisdiction will grant bail only for the federal government to disagree? Since they don’t have evidence to prosecute him, they should set him free. Is it because he is of Igbo stock?
“During the trials, did you not see the discriminatory treatment being given to suspects where people like Olisa Metuh and Nnamdi Kanu were handcuffed while Sambo Dasuka, Jafaru Isa and even the terror suspect, Kabiru Sokoto, were allowed to walk freely? In Biafra, people’s rights will be respected. Nobody will be detained unnecessarily. There will be total obedience to court orders.”
Okereafor contended that the continued detention of Kanu has created problems for Nigeria and warned that the federal government is playing with fire.
“The detention of Nnamdi Kanu has been creating more problems. You can see that all cities and territories of Biafra; Asaba, Ijaw land, Ogoja, Aba, Owerri, Port Harcourt, Ikwerre, Ogoni and others are calling for his release. They should release him. It is just one of the many instances that Ndigbo have been reduced to second class citizens and not wanted in Nigeria.”
On allegation that MASSOB founder, Chief Ralph Uwazuruike is envious of the IPOB leader, Okereafor said: “Chief Ralph Uwazurike is a father. He brought up Nnamdi Kanu and other pro-Biafra activist including expelled members like Uchenna Madu. So, how can Uwazuruike now turn around to fight his children? He cannot stoop so low?”