Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Benjamin Kalu has called on armed groups in the south-east to drop their arms to allow political efforts in securing the release of Nnamdi Kanu to bear fruits.
Kalu stated this on Tuesday at the South East Political Roundtable, a current affairs radio programme on FLO FM in Umuahia.
Kalu acknowledged the gains of the recently unveiled Peace in South-East Project where several businessmen gathered in Bende Local Government Area of Abia State.
He said, “We can’t put all our programmes and plans on social media. He (Nnamdi Kanu) is my brother. Is he in the mix of what we are trying to do? Yes! It’s one of our agendas to ensure he’s released. Who wants their brother to be in jail?
“We are working underground. There’s a detailed strategy. It’s not by violence; you can’t coerce the government through violence. It has never worked and won’t work. Let’s be wiser. The wisdom is in peace. Let’s quench the violence.
“If it’s chaotic, it won’t work. Let’s cool down. Let the man see that you’ve recognised he didn’t contribute to locking him up and that he has not done anything to the South-East. We should support him and his government and not attack him. I’m standing firmly against the voice of violence, preaching peace.
“That is what I’m here for, this voice of peace will echo through the Villa and he will come out. Mr President was happy with what happened in Bende. That the whole country can gather together and support this project.”
Kalu also urged south-easterners to stop the Monday sit-at-home, noting that it is scaring many investors away from the region.
The Supreme Court, on December 15, okayed the trial of Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, on the charges of terrorism filed against him by the Federal Government.
