As Nigeria celebrates one more Democracy Day, we on the Igbo Heroes Foundation mirror on the journey up to now with deep concern and patriotic hope. “Democracy, by its very definition, thrives on the rules of freedom, justice, fairness, and the rule of regulation,” mentioned Prince Chinedu Nsofor(KPAKPANDO NDIGBO), Nationwide Coordinator of the Igbo Heroes Foundation. “It’s a system constructed on the voice of the folks and the safety of their rights. As Nigerians throughout the federation mark this essential day, it’s crucial that we remind ourselves of the beliefs we declare to uphold. True democracy should be inclusive and should reply to the cries of the marginalized and the silenced.”
On this mild, Nsofor known as on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Federal Authorities of Nigeria to make use of this yr’s Democracy Day as a chance to show true statesmanship and nationwide therapeutic by releasing Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the detained chief of the Indigenous Folks of Biafra (IPOB). “The very best reward the Federal Authorities may give to the Igbo nation on this Democracy Day is the unconditional launch of Nnamdi Kanu,” Nsofor mentioned. “His extended detention, regardless of numerous authorized pronouncements in his favour, continues to harm the soul of the Igbo folks and stain the material of our nationwide unity.”
Nsofor additional famous that it’s value recalling that the United Nations Human Rights Council Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, in its 2022 opinion, known as for the speedy and unconditional launch of Mazi Kanu and compensation for his arbitrary detention. “Moreover, the Courtroom of Appeal of Nigeria, in October 2022, discharged and acquitted him of all fees, citing that his extraordinary rendition from Kenya was illegal and in violation of worldwide regulation,” he added. “These rulings shouldn’t be ignored in a rustic that claims to respect the rule of regulation. Democracy with out respect for judicial selections isn’t any democracy in any respect.”
“We urge the Federal Authorities to heed these calls and take daring, reconciliatory steps that foster unity, peace, and therapeutic,” Nsofor concluded. “The discharge of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is not going to solely pacify the aggrieved hearts within the Southeast but additionally ship a robust message to all Nigerians and the worldwide neighborhood that this authorities values justice, fairness, and the sanctity of the democratic course of. As we mark Democracy Day, could our leaders select peace over delight, justice over oppression, and unity over division.”
