Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo Youth Wing Worldwide has condemned recent inciting remarks credited to former Niger Delta agitator Asari Dokubo on the release of leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
The group, in a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Mazi Chika Adiele urged security agencies to hold him accountable for any breakdown of law and order.
Dokubo had in a Television interview called for continued detention of the Biafran warlord.
The group described Kanu as prisoner of conscience incarcerated solely for his advocacy of the Biafran Republic, insisting that he has not committed any acts of violence or engaged in embezzlement of public funds.
It maintained that Dokubo lacked authority to brand Kanu as a criminal, cautioning him to exercise restraint and be mindful of the potential repercussions his remarks might provoke among Igbo youths and the Igbo nation.
The group called on President Bola Tinubu to prioritize restoration of peace by urgently releasing Kanu, just as it urged him not to be swayed by misguided statements of individuals not in position to dictate who should be released or detained.
The statement reads in part, “It is important to note that Mazi Nnamdi Kanu has not committed any acts of violence or engaged in the embezzlement of public funds. Therefore, labeling him as a criminal is baseless and unfounded.
“His cause, rooted in the pursuit of self-determination, aligns with both local and international laws. Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s fight represents the just aspirations for the freedom of his people, and it is not a crime to seek autonomy and assert one’s rights.
“Asari Dokubo lacks the authority to brand Mazi Nnamdi Kanu as a criminal, as no court of competent jurisdiction has found him guilty of any offense. Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo Youth Wing Worldwide cautions Asari Dokubo to exercise restraint and be mindful of the potential repercussions that his remarks may provoke among Igbo youths and the Igbo nation as a whole.
“Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo Youth Wing Worldwide, will not tolerate any disparaging remarks or publications targeting Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. Such actions only serve to exacerbate the already volatile situation in Nigeria, particularly in the southern region and the South East.
“Furthermore, we draw the attention of security agencies, including the Department of State Services (DSS), the police, the military, and other paramilitary bodies, to remain vigilant.
“In the event of any breakdown of law and order, Asari Dokubo must be held accountable for his inciting remarks. This serves as a stern warning to him and others who might contemplate fanning the flames of unrest.
“Finally, Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo Youth Wing Worldwide calls upon President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to prioritize the restoration of peace by promptly releasing Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
“We urge the President not to be swayed by the misguided statements of individuals like Asari Dokubo, who are in no position to dictate who should be released or detained.
