I’m Not Opposed To Negotiation – Nnamdi Kanu

Source: thewillnigeria.com

BEVERLY HILLS, AUGUST 12, (THEWILL) – Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has declared that he is ready to enter into negotiation with the Federal Government to secure his release and end his continued incarceration which he described as “politically motivated and orchestrated.”

Speaking through his lawyers, Ifeanyi Ejiofor and Amobi Nzelu, at a press briefing, in Abuja on Friday, also distanced himself from the Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) which earlier claimed to be negotiating his release.

They however said the IPOB leader would not renounce his ideology for him to be released, because “IPOB is bigger than him.”

“Nnamdi Kanu is not averse to political solution in resolving his present politically orchestrated ordeal,” Ejiofor said.

“He welcomes genuine political solution to this case. Nnamdi Kanu has people of proven integrity and impeccable character that will negotiate on his behalf, based on his demands when communication on this effect is established.

“Kanu will not renounce his ideology, IPOB is bigger than him. He cannot say yes or no to renouncing it. But he is opened to political resolutions of the problem. Nobody has approached him for negotiation where he is kept.

“The issue of IPOB is beyond him, he is opened to Negotiation, we are not against discussion on this issue. A political solution will be easily achieved than legal solution but Kanu must be released unconditionally.

“In the past few days, the media was awash with news on negotiation going on between the Federal government and members MEND, where our client's name (Nnamdi Kanu) conspicuously featured.

“It is on that note that we wish to inform the general public that Nnamdi Kanu has no connection, contact, ties or any kind of relationship with members of the MEND. As such MEND has no implied, direct or express authority of Nnamdi Kanu to represent him or IPOB in any purported negotiation going on between MEND and the Federal Government.

“The general public is accordingly advised to ignore, discountenance and disregard the falsehood been peddled by MEND.”

Kanu was arrested in October 2015 on charges of treason and is being detained at the Kuje Prison in Abuja.

Story by David Oputah