The Paramount Ruler of Iwoland, Oba Abdulrosheed Adewale Akanbi, has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to grant the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, a presidential pardon as part of efforts to heal the lingering wounds of the Nigerian Civil War.
Oluwo, in a statement made available to newsmen through his Press Secretary, Alli Ibraheem, said releasing Kanu would be a significant step towards the fuller reintegration of the Igbo people into the Nigerian national fold.
The monarch commended President Tinubu for what he described as an inclusive administration without tribal discrimination, saying a presidential pardon for Kanu would further demonstrate the President’s commitment to national unity and reinforce his image as a detribalised leader.
According to him, the grievances and frustrations associated with the aftermath of the civil war remain a difficult wound to heal, with some Igbo people still carrying a deep sense of alienation decades after the conflict.
“The post-war frustration being nursed by Igbos cannot be easily healed. While I commend President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s reintegration process as unprecedented, I call for further historical steps such as granting a presidential amnesty to the incarcerated leader of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu,” he said.
Oba Akanbi also called for the establishment of a panel to examine the lingering effects of the civil war and promote reconciliation among communities affected by the conflict.
He linked the psychological consequences of war to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), warning that unresolved trauma could remain a serious burden for victims and their communities.
“PTSD is a very dangerous disorder everywhere wars have ravaged. The imprisoned Kanu may also be suffering from PTSD,” the monarch said, adding that many former soldiers and civilians who experienced wars continue to live with psychological consequences long after hostilities have ended.
Oluwo acknowledged that the actions attributed to Kanu were serious enough to warrant his imprisonment but urged the President to consider the broader national and historical implications of his continued detention.
“I acknowledged the magnitude of Kanu’s excess that warranted his imprisonment. I appeal to the President to consider the identity of his tribe, not an individual,” he said.
The monarch further suggested that Kanu could be counselled and cautioned before his release, expressing optimism that the IPOB leader could eventually become an advocate for peace and discourage violence among his followers.
“Nnamdi Kanu only needs to be cautioned and counselled before he can be released because of his temperament. I am hopeful he will turn a new leaf and be counsellor to his tribesmen toeing the line of violence,” he said.
Oba Akanbi stressed that his appeal was not a call for protest or confrontation, but a plea for a political and historical intervention aimed at strengthening national cohesion.
He said granting Kanu a pardon in honour of the Igbo people, rather than as a concession to an individual, could help address longstanding grievances and provide “historical succour” to those still affected by the memories of the civil war.
“Oluwo is not calling people for protest but making an holistic appeal to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to honour the tribe by releasing Nnamdi Kanu,” he said.
The monarch expressed hope that such a gesture would further cement Nigeria’s unity and encourage Nigerians to move beyond historical grievances.
“There must be love for one another in this country. Nigeria is divided along tribal attachment because of the past experience. We must stop nursing old wounds. The time is ripe to heal the wound,” he added.
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