…Demands Nnamdi Kanu’s Release
Rev (Dr) Sokari Soberekon, a Niger Delta activist has applauded the first military governor of Old Rivers State and King of Twon Brass, King Alfred Diete-Spiff on his 80th birthday anniversary, describing him as an astute administrator and consummate leader, who laid a solid foundation for the development of Old Rivers State.
Soberekon, who gave this indication in Port Harcourt commended Diete-Spiff for clocking the ripe age of 80years, and thanked God for preserving his life.
Soberekon recalled that as a good team player, Diete-Spiff had given him listening ears, when they sat down together in far away Lagos to plan for the development of the then young state, as soon he was appointed the Military Governor by General Yakubu Gowon (rtd), shortly after the state was created in 1967.
While lauding the giant development strides of the Diete-Spiff administration, the former Mayor of Port Harcourt City Council said the former Military Governor exhibited uncommon foresight and forthrightness in putting on ground some of the monumental infrastructures for the smooth take-off of the young state, infrastructures, he noted have stood the test of time, having endured till this day.
Soberekon, who would also be celebrating his 80th birthday on September 24, 2022, applauded Governor Nyesom Wike for following the development footsteps of Diete-Spiff in further taking Rivers State to greater heights, and appealed to him to give him the needed financial support to have a wonderful celebration next month, as one of the living founding fathers of the state and renowned exponent of the oil derivation principle.
Relatively, Rev Sobari has also called on President Muhammadu Buhari to release unconditionally the detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu for the sake of peace.
While calling on President Buhari to release Mazi Kanu from detention, in discharge of his prerogative of mercy, Soberekon noted that the IPOB leader is a freedom fighter in the mould of the late Jasper Adaka Boro and several others, rather than a criminal.
This, he said the president should do in the spirit of building a new Nigeria, where peace and justice reign supreme.
According to him, President Buhari should follow the examples set by General Yakubu Gowon (rtd), who released Chief Obafemi Awolowo; Jasper Adaka Boro and others from prison; as well as former President Shehu Shagari who granted pardon to Chief Emeka Odumegwu Ojukwu; and former President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua who also granted amnesty to Niger Delta agitators.
He said releasing Kanu would further cement the unity of the country and put a stop to all forms of agitations for secession in the South-East in particular and the country in general. The gesture, Soberekon said would give Kanu an opportunity to participate in the political process in the evolving new Nigeria.
