The South-East Council of Traditional Rulers and some Christian leaders have urged the federal government to de-proscribe the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
The federal government had in 2017, proscribed the Pro-Biafra group, and branded it a terrorist group.
The council, and representatives of Igbo Archbishops and Bishops, in a joint statement issued on Sunday, asked the federal government to embrace dialogue and negotiations in addressing unrest in the South-east.
They also asked the government to release Nnamdi Kanu, IPOB leader, and all members of the group in detention.
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The statement reads: “Flowing from similar initiatives taken to bring peace to other troubled parts of the country, we urge the Federal Government and other stakeholders to explore dialogue and negotiation in resolving critical issues that threaten national unity, cohesion and development,”
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“Accordingly, we refer to our earlier request for the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu to the South-East Council of Traditional Rulers and the Representatives of Igbo Archbishops and Bishops and restate this call even more strongly.
“We are of the firm belief that this act of courage and statesmanship is not only imperative but will speedily de-escalate the heightened state of insecurity and dislocation in the South-East zone.
“We also urge President Muhammadu Buhari (GCFR) and the Federal Government to take immediate steps to de-proscribe the Indigenous People of Biafra and release all IPOB members being held in various detention facilities in Nigeria.”
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They added: “It has become urgent, imperative and compelling to de-emphasise the military option and move towards finding a political solution that will lead to sustainable peace,”
