The leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, has denied supporting the Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta (MEND)and Niger Delta Avengers (NDA).
Kanu, who is being detained in Abuja spoke through his lawyers, Ifeanyi Ejiofor and Amobi Nzelu at a press briefing on Friday in Abuja.
He also expressed readiness to negotiate with the federal government to secure his release.
While stressing that IPOB is bigger than Kanu, one of his lawyers, Ejiofor however, said Kanu would not denounce his ideology.
“Kanu will not renounce his ideology, IPOB is bigger than him. He cannot say yes or no to renouncing it, but he is open to political resolution of the problem. Nobody has approached him for negotiation where he is kept.
“The issue of IPOB is beyond him, he is open to negotiation. We are not against discussion on this issue. A political solution will be easily achieved than legal solution but Kanu must be released unconditionally,” Ejiofor said.
On MEND, he had this to say, “In the past few days, the media has been awash with news on negotiations going on between the Federal Government and the members of MEND, where our client’s name conspicuously featured. It is on that note that we wish to inform the general public that Nnamdi Kanu has no connection, contact, ties or any form of relationship with members of MEND.
“MEND has no implied, direct or express authority of Nnamdi Kanu to represent him or Indigenous People of Biafra in any purported negotiation going on between MEND and the Federal Government. The general public is accordingly advised to ignore, discountenance and disregard the falsehood being peddled by MEND. Nnamdi Kanu does not know them.”
“Nnamdi Kanu welcomes genuine political solution to this case. The Federal Government does not need to sponsor their representatives to travel to far away Bayelsa State or the creeks of Niger Delta region in order to reach Nnamdi Kanu.
“They know where they kept him, which is easily accessible to them. Kanu has people of proven integrity and impeccable character who will negotiate on his behalf based on his demands when communication to this effect is established.
“The unfolding events in the polity has therefore, vindicated our long held view that Nnamdi Kanu is a political prisoner. We wish to reiterate that on Nnamdi Kanu’s total freedom is where we stand.”
