TheCable

The Umuahia Youth Movement has given Okezie Ikpeazu, governor of Abia state, 24 hours to dethrone Israel Kanu, ruler of Isiama Afaraukwu in Umuahia.

The traditional ruler is the father of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

In a letter addressed to Ikpeazu and copied to President Muhammadu Buhari, the group said failure to dethrone the traditional ruler would make them take the law into their own hands.

The youth blamed the current security situation and shutdown of economic activities in the state on Kanu who “could not call his son to order”.

Details of the letter were disclosed in a statement issued on Sunday by Ifeanyi Okwudili, the group’s president.

The letter read: “With tears and sorrow, the Umuahia Youth Movement respectfully write to request the dethronement of Nnamdi Kanu’s father as a traditional ruler of our clan.

“It beats our imagination that a man who calls himself a royal father and an elder could not call his son to order but rather encourage him in his madness that have plunged Umuahia city to a great crisis today.

“Sir, recall that Umuahia have been the most peaceful capital city in Nigeria to live and do business but just because of one man, we are today facing the wrath of the federal government of Nigeria.

“Our shops, markets, schools, churches and all banks have been shut down. For the past three days we have been indoors for fear of been attacked by the military just because of one man whose father is our traditional ruler.

“Based on the above, we hereby request the he be dethroned within 24 hours or we will take the laws into our hands and dethrone him and even strip him unclad and raze his house.

“We appeal to every well meaning Nigerian as well to prevail on governor Ikpeazu to as a matter of urgency dethrone Nnamdi Kanu’s father.”

The group also demanded the continuation of the military exercise (Operation Python Dance) “as any attempt to withdraw will make the IPOB criminals rob our shops and houses”.

“Sir, we assure you that we remain one Nigeria and will join hands with you to make our country Nigeria and state Abia the best among all the countries of the world,” they added.