Ngige Reveals That The Request By South East Leader For Buhari To Release Nnamdi Kanu Is Impossible

Former Governor of Anambra state and current Minister of Labour and Employement Dr Chris Ngige has revealed that the request by the south east leaders for Buhari to release Nnamdi Kanu is impossible. One of the reports that made media headlines recently was the meeting of South East leaders and President Muhammadu Buhari at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

The South East delegation was led by 93-year-old Hon. Mbazulike Amaechi and it had in attendance a former governor of Anambra State, Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife, the Co-Chairman of Interfaith Dialogue Forum for Peace, Bishop Sunday Onuoha, Mr. Tagbo Amaechi, and Chief Barr Goddy Uwazurike.

The Southeast delegation had pleaded with President Muhammadu Buhari to ensure the release of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). Recall that Nnamdi Kanu is currently in detention where he is facing charges before the federal high court in Abuja.

Going forward, President Muhammadu Buhari stated that this request by the South East leaders was difficult because it runs contrary to the doctrine of separation of powers between the executive and judiciary, but he will consider it.

However, the Minister of Labour and Employment Dr Chris Ngige during a media chat with Vanguard Newspaper revealed that the request the Southeast leaders made to President Muhammadu Buhari is not going to be made possible, which in his own opinion may not be considered.

According to the reports from our reliable source, the minister revealed that the Southeast leaders requested the reduction of the heavy presence of men of the Nigerian military along the southeast highways, and also requested that the security agents should be professional in the discharge of their functions.

Dr. Chris Ngige further revealed that the request to release Nnamdi Kanu may be considered but the request to remove military presence in the south east is impossible. Why this request may not be considered, Firstly, it could be argued that the heavy presence of military personnel within the Southeast region could instill fear and intimidation amongst civilians who are not used to the constant presence of military men along the highways and streets.

However, the Southeast region in recent times has been characterized by the activities of unknown gunmen and other miscreants that have caused havoc in the region. These miscreants have carried out unlawful activities and also destabilized the peace of the region. Hence the deployment of enough military personnel helped to restore peace and decorum in the region.

According to Dr Chris Ngige, a typical example was the Anambra election that was hitch-free without any form of uncontrollable situation and this was made possible due to the presence of the military men deployed to the region.

Therefore, with the exposition above, President Muhammadu Buhari may not consider this request of the Southeast leaders for the reduction of military men in the southeast, as the presence of these military men has proved to be beneficial in restoring peace to the region.

However, what could be done is that there should be a constant re-orientation and reminder to military men on duty in the region to always carry out their assignments professionally and also lawfully relate with civilians,” Dr Chris Ngige stated.