As the River Nile runs from Victoria in Uganda to Egypt, so activism runs in the family of the traditional ruler of Afaraukwu in Umuahia, the Abia State capital. From the monarch himself, His Royal Majesty, Eze Sir I. O. Kanu, Eze Ikputu of Afara Ukwu Ibeku in Umuahia, to the least of his children, it’s all the same blue blood of activism permanently glued in their veins. In the early 1990s, Nnamdi Kanu’s younger brother, Emmanuel, spearheaded the agitation for the reduction of school fees. Now Nnamdi, is leading a group to demand the freedom of Biafra.
In this interview, their father, HRH Eze Kanu, who said it was activism that made him represent his area three times as Councillor, said he was ready to abdicate his throne over the course for which his son is being detained.
How do you feel concerning your son appearing in court last week?
I’m very happy that he was brought to court on Monday (last week). From what I heard, as I was not able to go because of my health, I was impressed at least my family members were able to see him.
You may have had high hopes your son would be released last week, but he was not. How do you react to this failed expectation?
Well, it’s true that his release has taken time, but every Biafran in Abuja, I learnt, was protesting that he be released. Even those of them that were not on their Biafran uniform later changed to it, flying their flags and also chanting that he should be released. It made me sad that he was not released because I expected them to release him on that very day, but it didn’t come through, instead they adjourned the case.
Do you think it is just for him to continue to be in custody?
No, I don’t see any reason they should not obey the order, which granted him bail; they should not continue to detain him. He is not supposed to be in cell any more.
What’s your appeal to the Federal Government?
I’m appealing to the Federal Government and (President Muhammadu) Buhari) in particular to release my son because he is not fighting with arms; he is just talking with his mouth. Also, half of Nigerians believe that he has not done any wrong and he should be released. Buhari should tamper justice with mercy and release him because he has not come to destroy, rather he wants to set things right. If Biafra is granted, there is nothing Nigerians will look for in Biafra that they will not get; the same is applicable to Biafrans. Using the case of Lot of Abraham as an example, we want peace. We are not the same as the northerners; so I don’t see any reason any one who knows the right thing will not do it. If we go to other countries, we will see how they gained their independence.
Will you advice your son to stop the Biafran pursuit for his freedom?
No, I will not. Biafra is not only applicable to my family; it is for everyone.
Would you abdicate your throne as condition for Biafra to be realised?
Yes, even in the next 24 hours I will agree if that is the condition necessary for Biafrans to be free. My kingship is not as important as Biafran freedom.
Why is Biafra so important to you?
Biafra is important to me because there is nothing greater than one’s freedom. Yes, we are just like slaves the way we are. For example, the newly appointed ministers, can’t you see we are rejected. All the positions we are supposed to get they shared among themselves; so I want Biafra.
What word do you have for your son, Nnamdi?
I am asking him to be patient; what we do not get today might be got tomorrow. Nothing is going to happen to him, by Gods grace. Let him be careful with the food and water he takes there because they can kill him through any means possible. Even if he dies today, many others will rise for the actualisation of Biafra till the end, but we don’t pray for such to happen.
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