News

Demand for Nnamdi Kanu’s release is heavy, but I will consider it – Buhari tells Igbo leaders

Published

2 years ago

November 19, 2021

admin

President Muhammadu Buhari has said that he will consider the demands for the release of the leader of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu.

Buhari, however said the demand on him for an unconditional release of the leader of Kanu , who is currently standing trial for treason, runs contrary to the doctrine of separation of powers between the Executive and Judiciary.

The president made the promise on Friday while receiving a group, under the aegis of Highly Respected Igbo Greats, led by First Republic parliamentarian and Minister of Aviation, Mbazulike Amaechi, at State House, Abuja.

Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, disclosed this in a statement titled ‘President Buhari to Igbo Leaders: your demand for Nnamdi Kanu’s release is heavy. I will consider it’.

Speaking to the delegation, led by the 93-year-old statesman, Buhari said “You’ve made an extremely difficult demand on me as leader of this country. The implication of your request is very serious.

READ Anambra Governorship election results

“In the last six years, since I became President, nobody would say I have confronted or interfered in the work of the Judiciary. God has spared you, and given you a clear head at this age, with a very sharp memory. A lot of people half your age are confused already. But the demand you made is heavy. I will consider it.”

Stressing his policy of non-interference with the Judiciary, the President said when Kanu jumped bail, got arrested and was brought back to the country, “I said the best thing was to subject him to the system. Let him make his case in court, instead of giving very negative impressions of the country from the outside. I feel it’s even a favour to give him that opportunity.”

The President condoled with Amaechi, who recently buried his wife, praying that her soul would rest in peace.

The nonagenarian had described the situation in the Southeast as “painful and pathetic,” lamenting that businesses have collapsed, education is crumbling, and a reign of fear.

READ Okada ban: Lagos police, taskforce impound 140 motorcycles, arrest passengers

He pleaded for a political, rather than military solution, requesting that if Kanu was released to him as the only First Republic Minister still alive, “he would no longer say the things he had been saying,” stressing that he could control him, “not because I have anything to do with IPOB, but I am highly respected in Igboland today.”

Amaechi said twice he had interfaced with Nnamdi Kanu in the past, and the latter rescinded orders earlier given on civil disobedience.

He concluded, “I don’t want to leave this planet without peace returning to my country. I believe in one big, united Nigeria, a force in Africa. Mr President, I want you to be remembered as a person who saw Nigeria burning, and you quenched the fire.”

Members of the visiting delegation were; former Governor of Anambra State, Chukwuemeka Ezeife, Bishop Sunday Onuoha of the Methodist Church, former President of Igbo socio-cultural group, Aka Ikenga, Goddy Uwazurike and Tagbo Amaechi.

READ Oluwo begs Buhari to forgive Sunday Igboho, says he’s a ‘novice’

Related Topics:Buhari IGBO LEADERS Nnamdi Kanu

Up Next

BREAKING: Boko Haram kidnaps 22 girls in Niger for marriage

Don't Miss

Buhari approves fresh N656bn support fund for 36 states

Click to comment

News

Good morning! Here Are Some Major News Headlines In The Newspapers Today: 18 feared killed in fresh Plateau attacks

Published

3 hours ago

April 20, 2024

admin

1. No fewer than 18 persons are feared dead after gunmen struck on Friday morning in Tilengpan community of Mangu Local Government area of Plateau State. It was reported that 12 individuals were reportedly killed in Mangu villages, with an additional six persons murdered in four Bokkos communities, along with a university student last night.

2. President Bola Tinubu has appointed a new Board for the Securities and Exchange Commission, SEC with immediate effect. According to a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, the new board members bring a wealth of experience and expertise to the commission, which plays a vital role in developing and regulating Nigeria’s capital market.

3. President Bola Tinubu on Friday announced the appointment of a new board for the National Insurance Commission, NAICOM with immediate effect. This was contained in a statement by Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale.

READ CBN has my backing to redesign naira notes, says Buhari

4. The Nigerian Customs Service, Kebbi State Area Command, has intercepted goods, including 212 50kg bags of foreign parboiled rice, worth over N126m. The goods according to the Customs Area Comptroller, Iheanacho Ojike, included 10,025 litres of petrol worth over N2m.

5. Two people were killed on Friday while one other was injured in an accident around the Idogo junction on Ilaro-Owode Yewa Road, Ogun State. This is just as the Ogun Sector Command of the Federal Road Safety Corps threatened to begin a clampdown on motorists parking indiscriminately on the roads.

6. Kogi State Commissioner for Information, Kingsley Fanwo, has said Governor Usman Ododo did not help his predecessor, Yahaya Bello, beat security operatives who wanted to arrest him. Speaking in an interview with Channels TV, Fanwo, who also worked under Bello, said Ododo is committed to upholding the laws of the country, including respecting its legal processes.

READ Sit-at-home: Hoodlums burn truck, shop in Enugu as streets remain deserted

7. The Nigerian Army, on Friday, released Prince Clement Ikolo Ogenerukevwe, the monarch arrested over the killing of 17 military personnel in Okuama, Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State.

8. The Lagos State government on Friday, demolished illegal houses in Otto Ilogbo extension of Ebute Metta, Lagos, leaving hundreds homeless. It was gathered that four communities were affected by the demolition. They include Ifesowapo, Ifeoluwa, Toluwani and Ilaje Otumara Community Development Association, CDAs, sparking public outrage.

9. Road crashes that occurred on Thursday and Friday at Gaya Junction in Kano State and Tashar Yari in Kaduna State claimed the lives of 18 people, authorities have said. The Corps Marshal, Federal Road Safety Corps, Dauda Biu, has now condemned the use of substandard tyres and excessive speeding by drivers on Nigerian roads.

10. The Managing Director of First Bank Plc, Dr Adesola Kazeem Adedotun is to proceed on pre-retirement notice. He conveyed his decision to the Chairman of First Bank Hassan Odukale. He said in the letter that he would have retired from the bank in December but decided to proceed on pre-retirement leave effective April 20.

READ Cash, petrol scarcity may yield unpleasant consequences — act now!, Akeredolu tells Buhari

News

BREAKING: FG, states, LGs share N1.123tn in March

Published

12 hours ago

April 19, 2024

admin

The Federation Account Allocation Committee has disbursed a total of N1.123tn to the federal, state, and local governments for March 2024.

The allocation, derived from a gross total of N1.867tn, marks a critical distribution of funds aimed at supporting various government tiers.

This was revealed in a statement signed by the Director of Information and Public Relations, Ministry of Finance, Mohammed Manga, on Friday.

FAAC has the duty of examining and approving the distribution of financial resources to the states and the Federal Government.

Monthly, this committee is tasked with the disbursement of funds across Nigeria’s 36 states and its 774 local government areas.

This allocation is anticipated to drive progress and support governmental bodies across various tiers in executing their duties.

The FAAC shared N1.152.trn to the three tiers of government for February 2024 from a gross total of N2.326.14trn.

Manga stated that the Accountant General of the Federation, Mrs. Oluwatoyin Madein, chaired the meeting and highlighted the importance of the allocation.

READ Anambra Governorship election results

This distribution is pivotal in ensuring that all government levels have the necessary funds to continue their development projects and provide essential services to the citizens,” the statement read.

The statement noted that the Federal Government received N345.890bn, states, and local governments received N398.689bn and N288.688bn, respectively, while oil-producing states received N90.224bn as 13 per cent mineral revenue derivation.

The FAAC statement also noted an increase in the gross revenue from Value Added Tax for March 2024, amounting to N549.698bn—an N89.210bn rise from the previous month.

This increase reflects the country’s economic growth and improved tax compliance.

Despite the positive trend in VAT, the Gross Statutory Revenue of N1.017tn for March was lower than February’s N1.192tn by N175.212bn.

The decrease has been attributed to reductions in excise duty, oil royalty, petroleum profit tax, customs external tariff levies, and electronic money transfer levy.

The balance in the Excess Crude Account as of April 2024 stands at $473,754.57, indicating a reserve for future financial stability.

READ Killers of ex-CBN official, family will not go unpunished - Abiodun

The statement noted that the FAAC’s decision to allocate these funds is expected to bolster economic activities across the nation and support the government’s efforts in improving infrastructure, healthcare, education, and other vital sectors.