By Ugochukwu Alaribe

The Association of Igbo Town Unions, ASITU, has commended the recent decision by the South East Governors to approach President Bola Tinubu to seek for the release of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kalu and urged them to put more effort to actualize his freedom.

National President of ASITU, Chief Emeka Diwe, noted though the  governors’ decision to join the struggle to free the IPOB leader is belated, it will however, enhance the long battle for his release by various groups and well meaning individuals, both in Nigeria and overseas.

He stated that the story of the struggle for Kanu’s release would have been different if the South East Governors had join ASITU earlier to lobby for his freedom.

Describing their decision to finally join the call for Kanu’s release as lofty and noble, ASITU charged the Governors not to abandon the struggle until victory is achieved.

The Igbo group also commended members of the National Assembly who have joined the call to free the IPOB leader and urged the federal government to consider their appeal and act promptly to grant the request.

He said; “ASITU has been calling for the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu because we know that his release will bring peace and security to the South East. It has been our considered view that Kanu’s release will be a critical step in defusing the current tension in the South East zone.We have been consulting with various stakeholders across the federation aimed at securing the unconditional release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. We have churned out several press releases, held many press conferences and strong negotiation with the government. ASITU is also confident that his release will serve as a powerful gesture of goodwill and healing. It will also mitigate the prevailing sense of injustice in the South East zone and open avenues for constructive dialogue to address underlying grievances.

“Today,we are glad that the South East Governors have joined the struggle to call for his release.We also acknowledge the efforts of Ohanaeze Ndigbo. This is in consonance with long standing demand of ASITU for about three years now. We charge the Governors to put more efforts in seeking for his release. ASITU urges them not to abandon the struggle until victory is achieved.”

ASITU called on President Tinubu to show himself as a statesman and true democrat by releasing Nnamdi Kanu, who has long been freed by a court of competent jurisdiction, but was held back by the former President Mohammed Buhari’s administration.

The group further tasked Tinubu to ensure that injustice ,victimization, nepotism, subjugation and other forms of marginalization against the Igbos, are reduced to the barest minimum.