Nnamdi Kanu's detention has caused more damage to Nigerian Govt – Brother
Nnamdi Kanu's continued detention has caused more damage to the Nigerian government than to Kanu himself, the IPOB leader's brother, Prince Emmanuel Kanu, has said.
Prince Emmanuel, who made the assertion in a post on his Facebook page on Sunday, said Kanu's incarceration has become a self-inflicted wound for the Nigerian government.
He listed the problems the IPOB leader's detention created for Nigeria to include loss of international credibility, insecurity and economic collapse in the South-East and emergence of more radical splinter groups. He also said the prolonged detention has made Kanu more powerful.
Prince Emmanuel wrote: "The continued detention of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu has done more damage to the Nigerian government than to Kanu himself. It has become a self-inflicted wound.
"Loss of international credibility and image: Nigeria tells the world it is a democracy that respects rule of law, but the world saw how Kanu was extraordinarily renditioned from Kenya, and how the Court of Appeal discharged him and the government refused to obey it. This has painted Nigeria as a country that disobeys its own courts, which foreign investors and human rights bodies have noticed.
"Insecurity and economic collapse in the South-East: Before his extraordinary rendition, the South-East was the most peaceful region in Nigeria. Since his incarceration, the region has been locked in Mondays sit-at-home, fear, killings by unknown gunmen, and military checkpoints everywhere. The Nigerian government spends billions deploying soldiers to the South-East every week for a problem that dialogue would have solved cheaper.
"Loss of legitimacy in the South-East: For millions of Igbos, his incarceration proved what he has been saying – that Igbos are not fairly treated in Nigeria. Even Igbos who did not support IPOB before now sympathise with him. The government has lost the trust of an entire generation of Igbo youths.
"Creation of more radical splinter groups: When you jail the leader who was preaching non-violent referendum, you create a vacuum. That vacuum was filled by more violent and uncontrollable groups enforcing sit-at-home with guns. The government now has a bigger security problem than IPOB.
"Damage to the economy: Every Monday, five states lose over N10 billion in trade, school, banking and markets. For over four years of sit-at-home, the South-East has lost trillions. That is Nigerian GDP destroyed because of one man's incarceration.
"Making Kanu more powerful: In prison, he became bigger than outside. He is now seen as a political prisoner and a martyr. Every day he stays in prison custody, his influence grows. The government tried to silence a man, but amplified his voice worldwide.
"In conclusion, keeping Mazi Nnamdi Kanu in detention has not brought peace, has not brought unity, and has not strengthened Nigeria. It has cost Nigeria its image, its money, its security in the South-East, and the trust of its own people."
Nnamdi Kanu’s detention has caused more damage to Nigerian Govt – Brother