I Have Physically Seen These IPOB Boys In Action At The Ekwueme Square In Awka, Anambra-Edwin Clark

Edwin Clark, the leader of the Ijaw nation, has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to release Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). In a recent letter, Clark urged President Tinubu to instruct the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, to withdraw the charges against Kanu on political grounds, emphasizing Kanu’s potential role in fostering peace and stability in the South-East.

Clark’s letter, as reported by Punch, follows a previous correspondence in which he warned President Tinubu against repeating the alleged marginalization of the Igbo people, a practice attributed to former President Muhammadu Buhari.

Clark believes that releasing Kanu would facilitate national reconciliation and end the disruptive sit-at-home orders prevalent in the South-East.

Nnamdi Kanu has been detained since 2021, with his bail request denied by the Federal High Court in April. Clark argued that a “carrot and stick approach,” blending incentives with firm measures, would be more effective in addressing regional grievances than relying solely on military force. He stressed that Kanu’s release could be a pivotal step towards calming regional tensions.

Clark highlighted the historical marginalization of the South-East as a key reason behind IPOB’s growing influence among young people in the region.

He noted that this sense of disenfranchisement has fueled the group’s calls for self-determination and has garnered substantial support.

Reflecting on his personal experiences, Clark recounted witnessing IPOB militants firsthand during a meeting at Ekwueme Square in Awka, Anambra State. This encounter reinforced his understanding of the deep-seated frustrations and aspirations driving the youth in the South-East.

Clark concluded by stressing that addressing the underlying issues of marginalization is crucial for long-term peace. He believes that releasing Kanu could signal a commitment to addressing these historical grievances, potentially paving the way for a more inclusive and stable Nigeria.

According to him, “The shortchanging of the Igbos of the South-East over the years is the reason why IPOB has fashioned a place for itself in the hearts and minds of the young people in the South-East with its demand for self-determination.

I have physically seen these IPOB boys in action at the Ekwueme Square in Awka, Anambra State, when I attended a meeting of the Southern and Middle Belt Forum there…..Discover More