By INNOCENT Igwe
A representative of the fathers of faith in Igboland have appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu,in furtherance of the renewed hope Agenda and in pursuit of national unity, peace and peaceful coexistence in the country.
The appeal was made in an open letter to the President, signed by the group’s chairman,Most Revd Dr David O.C. Onuoha,the secretary General,Most Revd Dr Chibuzor Raphael Opoko,the Catholic Archbishop of Onitsha,Most Revd Valerian Okeke and two others.
The clerics said” The matter of our son ,Mazi Nnamdi Kanu,has lingered for years and continues to cast a shadow of tension and unease across the South East Region.While his agitation arose from perceived injustice and marginalization,we cannot ignore the fact that criminal elements have hijacked the process leading to insecurity, economic disruption and avoidable loss of lives in the region.We as fathers of faith acknowledge that the case is before the court and adjourned to 10th October,2025 for continuation of hearing.” the letter read.
The letter further reads “However,we respectfully submit that judicial resolution alone may not yield the lasting peace and reconciliation that our nation urgently requires,rather this moment calls for statesmanship and the political will to heal divisions through mercy and magnanimity” pointing out that ” sometimes the logic of our common humanity must override legal arguments in the pursuit of justice”,it stated.
According to the letter ” As religious leaders,we tender a collective unreserved apology,on behalf of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu for any words or actions of his that may have caused offense to Your Excellency,to the past leaders or to the Federal Republic of Nigeria.In the spirit of national healing,we earnestly plead that you exercise your prerogative of Mercy and direct the Honourable Attorney General of the Federation to discontinue proceedings against him” the letter read.
The clerics reasoned that if Nnamdi Kanu is released,it will restore trust and bridge the gap between the federal government and the south East,quell tension,reduce insecurity and calm the rising unease in the region, especially ahead of October 10,2025, advance renewed hope and demonstrate commitment to equity, inclusion and unity under the renewed hope agenda.
The Fathers of faith reminded President Tinubu that past military and civilian leaders have had cause to grant pardon and amnesty to people charged with or convicted for treason adding that history remembers leaders not only for the battles they fought but also for the peace they secured.
