We’ll convince Kanu to embrace restructuring, says Ohanaeze

The leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo has said it will meet with the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu , in a bid to convince him to embrace their call for restructuring of the country rather than secession.

Kanu was released from Kuje Prisons , Abuja , on Friday , after meeting his bail conditions.
The IPOB leader , who is being tried for treasonable felony, has been in detention since October 14 , 2015 .

The Deputy National Publicity Secretary of Ohanaeze , Chuks Ibegbu, who disclosed the planned meeting in an interview with our correspondent , said the association intends to find a ‘ common ground’ with Kanu on the agitation.
He said, “Ohanaeze will definitely discuss with him (Kanu ). Ohanaeze has been making efforts to parley with all the pro- Biafra groups and find a point of agreement with them on these issues .

“Even before now , Ohanaeze wanted to send a delegation to see him in Kuje Prison . We planned it before he was granted bail. We will engage him and some of his associates so that we can find a common ground. He is our son, we understand him and he will understand us . If there are areas of divergence , we will find ways to address it so that we can work together .

“At the planned meeting , Ohanaeze intends to make Kanu understand and appreciate its position , which is the restructuring of the country, rather than secession . Ohanaeze ’s position is restructuring and his (Kanu ’s ) position is secession . We will not tell him to drop his desire for self- determination but we will make him understand that Ohanaeze ’s position is the position of the Igbo people .

“He has the right to seek self- determination , but we will make him appreciate Ohanaeze ’s position , which is restructuring and social justice . Ohanaeze ’ s position is the position of the totality of the Igbo people . We will also make him understand that there is no need to insult anybody in the agitation, and no need for violence – of course he has never been violent . ”

“Restructuring is the only solution to the problems in this country . With restructuring , even the issue of corruption would be addressed. What generates corruption? When the system is suffocating people , when the system is not properly coordinated , people will be stealing here and there . You cannot stop corruption by force. Even the issue of lopsided appointments is corruption . We have to address the fundamental issues . ”