In a statement by Kehinde Akinyemi, the special assistant on media to the former president, Olusegun Obasanjo on Wednesday in Abeokuta, a reported discussion between southeast governors and the former president on the release of IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu with South East governors on Tuesday, 02 July in Enugu is false.
Akinyemi said contrary to media reports, Obasanjo and Emeka Anyaoku, a former Commonwealth secretary-general, met with the governors on their invitation to discuss regional development issues – that the purported release of Nnamdi Kanu the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) by the Federal Government was not part of it.
That the regional development issues discussed included security and infrastructure, economic and cooperative collaboration among others. “The meeting with them was at my invitation and of Anyaoku before their summit began. The issue of Nnamdi Kanu was not on the agenda and was not discussed in my presence,” the statement quoted Mr Obasanjo as saying.
The Governor of Abia State, Alex Otti had at the end of the South-East Governors’ meeting posted a message on his X handle which some interpreted as Obasanjo joining in taking a decision to engage the Federal Government over Kanu’s detention.
Otti’s post read “We have just concluded the South East Governors Forum meeting in Enugu, where we deliberated on critical issues affecting our region. After thorough discussions with fellow Governors and stakeholders, the following resolutions were reached:
- The Forum commiserated with the Government and people of Abia State, Ebonyi State, Imo State, and the entire South East and Nigeria, along with the Onu Family, on the passing of His Excellency, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu.
- The Forum welcomed a distinguished delegation including Former President Chief Olusegun Obasanjo GCFR, Chief Emeka Anyaoku GCON, and His Royal Majesty Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe CFR, the Obi of Onitsha, who visited in solidarity.
- We reviewed the report from the South East Security and Economic Summit held in Owerri on September 28, 2023. The Forum agreed to implement key recommendations related to security and economic integration, reaffirming our commitment to actionable plans on these critical issues.
- The Forum resolved to visit Mr. President to discuss pressing concerns affecting the South East Region.
Additionally, we resolved to engage with the Federal Government to secure the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
The statement was signed by, Senator Hope Uzodinma, CON (Governor of Imo State), Dr. Alex Otti, OFR, (Governor of Abia State) Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, CFR (Governor of Anambra State), Rt. Hon. Francis Nwifuru (Governor of Ebonyi State), Dr. Peter Mbah (Governor of Enugu State).
