Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) Nnamdi Kanu must defend himself in court, President Muhammadu Buhari told south-east leaders on Friday in Ebonyi.
The region’s traditional, religious and political leaders had asked the president to drop all charges against Mr Kanu during a town hall meeting with Buhari in Abakaliki, Ebonyi.
The meeting was the last official engagement of the president, who was on a two-day working visit to Ebonyi.
“I have listened carefully to the various appeals from the elders to the traditional leaders regarding wide range of options,” said Buhari.
“As I have said previously this matter remains in the full purview of the courts where it will be properly adjudicated.
“My worry is for our hardworking and innocent civilians, for whom life is already tough and would like to earn a decent and honest living.”
Buhari frowned at increasing violence in the south-east and other parts of the country.
He reiterated the commitment of his administration to continue to protect and defend innocent citizens from those bent on causing breakdown of law and order across the country.
On the presidential ambition of Ebonyi State Governor David Umahi, the governor said it would be morally wrong for any candidate from the south-south and south-west to vie for the APC’s presidential ticket if the party zones it to the south.
