Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, has called for the immediate release of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, for the peace process in the country to be taken seriously.
Governor Ortom made the call when a group under the aegis of American Veterans of Igbo origin paid him a courtesy visit in Washington DC, USA on July 13, 2022.
He stated that Nnamdi Kanu’s issue was a socio-political challenge that must be dealt with politically.
A statement by the Senior Special Assistant on Diaspora Affairs, Rev. Peter Ichull from Washington, D.C. said the governor argued that even members of Boko Haram who posed a greater threat to the country’s unity had often been freed, resettled and some integrated into the armed forces.
Ortom maintained that the South East of Nigeria must be given a sense of belonging to erase the impression of persecution of a section of the country.
He tasked Igbo veterans in the United States of America to believe in one Nigeria, pointing out that “no country on earth is without its challenges.”
The Benue State Governor told the group that power shift to the South East was possible if the people of the region put their differences aside to pursue the objective in unity.
Ortom said his call for freedom of worship was not only to protect the rights of Christians, but so that all Nigerians would be free to practise their faith without intimidation or molestation in any part of the country.
He thanked the group for appreciating his modest contributions to national discourses but challenged South-Eastern Nigerians living abroad that “charity begins at home”, declaring “there is nowhere better than home but only peace and security can guarantee the success of your investments back home.”
The governor then called on the veterans to support the peace efforts in the South East region so that both their communities and investments would experience sustainable growth and prosperity.
President of the Group, Dr Sylvester Onyia who led the delegation was full of praises of Ortom’s fearless position on Nigeria’s ills, insisting that only such a stand from leaders could build bridges of understanding and give hope to despairing Nigerians abroad that “one Nigeria is possible”.
The group however expressed fears for the upcoming general elections owing to the spate of insecurity in the country and called on Governor Ortom not to relent in pursuing the best security options.
The group assured the Governor of its support in amplifying his voice in peace-building to its representatives in the American Congress.
He said: “You are not alone; we are with you. Continue speaking the truth; truth is the manifestation of God.”
Other members on the entourage included his vice, Dr Prince Joe Nduka, Dr Ofo, the group’s PRO and Nigeria’s former ambassador to South Africa, Dr Mrs Ajulu.
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