By Izuchukwu Adichie
Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s recent visit to the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu has shown he is open to any approach that could restore peace and order in Anambra satate and the entire Eastern region. This edges him above many others, as he has shown that only peace can move the region forward, considering that an insecurity laden society experiences capital fight. In other words, investors and project developers connect to a peaceful and stable regions, areas where they can invest and tap seamlessly into the opportunities region offers.
This is not the first time he has led the line, putting himself in the fore-front, seeking for amicable resolution on issues concerning Nnamdi Kanu and IPOB agitations in the South East. Notedly, in 2016, Soludo asked the FG to release the leader of IPOB, while speaking during the presentation of a book entitled, ‘The Politics of Biafra and the Future of Nigeria,’ in Abuja and in 2017, Soludo led Igbo delegation to visit the IPOB leader in Kuje prison and later, addressed a World Press Conference where he called on FG to obey court orders and release their son, even though, they agreed that no one is above the law. Nnamdi Kanu was later released!
For Soludo, it is only through dialogue, networking, negotiations and the use of intellectual enagagement that eastern states can find a path forward. He has continued to appeal to secessionists in Anambra to embrace the dialogue option by accepting his amnesty call rather than engaging in daily violence and carnage that has dire consequences for everyone.
It is true that some criminal-minded individuals are in the guise of agitation, only to deceive the people and abandoned Nnamdi Kanu whom they claimed they are fighting for. They armed themselves in the bush to order the closure of schools on the most productive days of learning, commit sacrilegious killing of citizens and security agents, mindless kidnappings, arson, wanton destruction of government properties and senseless Monday sit-at-home order which has erased economic activities and decreased productivity.
Typical of Governor Soludo, he has continued to engage critical stakeholders and agitating groups to understand that engaging in unlawful activity should not be considered an option in pressing home demands which has led to negative consequences and loss of investors, jobs and businesses in Anambra.