Our correspondent
Legendary gospel artist, Dr. Felix Ndukwe has urged federal government to quickly initiate actions towards peaceful resolution of issues fuelling violent agitations in southeast.
He identified first step as unconditional release of detained leader of Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
The Abia state-born song writer and singer, in a statement in Awka, Anambra State on Saturday, appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari and other key officers to toe the path of peaceful settlement of the Biafra agitation.
He argued that much could be achieved on a negotiation table, insisting that the best time for such negotiations is now.
Ndukwe who was recently appointed Diplomatic World Peace Ambassador and Honourary Citizenship of Kingdom of David, Israel, said he could not afford to pride himself as global peace ambassador in a crisis-laden nation.
The statement reads, “The 2023 general election is upon us but we are surrounded by a cloud of uncertainty due to this insecurity and unresolved issues around Biafra agitations.
“We saw in the social media, the gruesome murder of a local government chairman in Imo state by yet to be identified group who claimed to be fighting for the liberation of Biafraland.
“Nobody knows who would be the next victim(s) of this new wave of violent agitations that had made some areas in Imo and parts of Southeast no-go areas.
“I’m troubled by worsening insecurity in Nigeria, especially in Imo, parts of the southeast and other flashpoints across the country which do not portend well for the 2023 general election.
“You cannot hold an election in an area where people feel their safety is not guaranteed. Now, we have a situation where these agitators are threatening actions that will ensure elections did not hold until their demands are met.
“These are the more reason why I’m using this opportunity to appeal to President Muhammadu Buhari and his key officers to toe the path of peaceful settlement of this Biafra agitation.
“I believe that a lot can be achieved on a negotiation table and that now is the best time for that and the first step towards that is the release of Nnamdi Kanu from detention.”
Describing his ambassadorial appointment as special recognition of his untiring efforts and contributions to global peace and cultural diversity, Ndukwe, Founder/President of Chiamanda Entertainment Group and Ikenga-Abiama Humanitarian Assembly Abiriba (IAHAA), stressed the need for dialogue and constitutional framework that would guarantee equity, fairness and justice to all Nigerians.
He added: “I feel greatly honoured to be considered worthy of this diplomatic post and at the same time I feel compelled to speak on the troubling developments in my country, especially Igboland.
“I cannot completely pride myself as a global peace ambassador while my nation is in turmoil and I keep silent.
“Though, this clarion call was equally made in my recent music singles -Wind of Destiny, co-produced with, Dr. Uba Iwunwa (Queen Ugobeze), a Nigerian-Canadian Peace Ambassador, Music Artist and Actress, I feel the need to call the attention of the government on the urgent need to give peace a chance in our nation.
“The song- Wind of Destiny was a tribute as well as clarion call for total liberation of Igboland from shackles of backwardness. We cannot fold our hands and watch our beloved fatherland descend into killing field.
“There is need for all of us to work towards pulling this country back from the brink, through dialogue, fashioning out constitutional framework that will guarantee equity, fairness and justice to all Nigerians regardless of ethnic or religious background”, Eze-oha, as he is fondly called, posited.
