A sociopolitical group, All Igbo Youth Forum (AIYF) has told President Bola Tinubu and his party, the All Progressive Congress, APC, not to count on their support in 2027 should the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, remain in custody.
President General of All Igbo Youth Forum, Hon Chinedum Obilor aka Fayose Ohuhu, who spoke on behalf of the youths, in Umuahia was categorical that Kanu’s release or continued detention would determine whether or not Igbo youths would support Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027.
The former Deputy chairman of Umuahia North council, told the President “not to be deceived by empty assurances by Igbo political leaders,” reaffirming that Igbo youths would not vote for him nor the APC if Kanu does not regain his freedom.
The youths numbering over 300 from different States in the South East gave the condition at a press conference cum gathering to celebrate the recent legal victory of Kanu, in Kenya.
Recall that a Kenyan High Court sitting at Milimani, Nairobi, on June 26, declared Kanu’s abduction and extraordinary rendition from Kenya to Nigeria, “illegal.”
The Court presided over by Hon. Justice E. C Mwita, declared that “the abduction, incommunicado detention, torture, and illegal transfer of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu from Kenya to Nigeria in June 2021 was unlawful, unconstitutional, and a gross violation of his fundamental human rights under Kenyan and international law.”
Finding Kenyan Government and relevant agencies guilty over their complicity in Kanu’s ordeal, the Court awarded compensatory damages of 10 million Kenyan shillings in favour of Kanu.
Describing the Court judgement as “historic and a confirmation that Kanu did nothing to deserve unjust incarceration and continued prosecution”, the youths appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to heed various pleas for his release.
Hon. Obilor said that contrary to claims by Igbo political leaders, Tinubu’s fate in South East and other Igbo-speaking states in 2027 would be decided by the youths.
“Our Governors are deceiving you,” Obilor alleged, warning, “Our Senators and House of Representatives members are deceiving you.
They claim to be in charge but they are not We, the youths are the ones in charge of Igbo land. Come and work with the youths. But if you fail, what happened in the last election will happen again.”
According to Obilor, “Kanu’s release is the highest need of Ndigbo”, saying that Igbo youths do not need to be induced to vote President Tinubu if he sets Kanu free.
“We want President Tinubu to release Kanu. If you do it, you don’t need to give us rice or money to vote for you in 2027. But if you don’t, we will negotiate with anyone willing to release him for us irrespective of his tribe.
“Mr President, please listen to Igbo youths. Our leaders including the late President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu; Chief Mbazurike Amaechi, and others pleaded for Kanu’s release but the Federal Government did not heed their pleas.
We want you to listen to Igbo youths now. If you do it for us you will hear from us but if you refuse to do it you will equally hear from us in the next election”.
The youths warned Igbo politicians to stop using Kanu’s name for their political gains, insisting that such act will no longer be tolerated.
“Our political leaders have to listen to us because they are holding our mandate. And we can use our votes to remove them. We warn them to stop using Kanu’s name to play politics.”
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