Buhari must remember that Biafrans have the right to peacefully seek for secession_Cardinal Okogie

LAST Thursday, Anthony Cardinal Olubunmi Okogie, celebrated his 80th birthday with a Holy Mass at the Holy Cross Cathedral, Lagos and reception at the St. Gregory’s College, Obalende, Lagos. In an interview later, the retired Catholic Archbishop of Lagos reflected on his four years in retirement after attaining the mandatory age of 75. This year also marks his 50th priestly ordination anniversary. He recalled that a large chunk of his years as the Archbishop of Lagos was devoted to speaking out against injustice and oppression of the downtrodden by those in positions of authority.

In one of his speeches he said:

Many of us who witnessed the pogrom that is the Nigerian civil war between 1967 and 1970 are yet to come to terms with the devastating effect that war could have in a society like ours. That is why it is imperative that we do not have a repeat of a civil war. God forbid. Mr President should therefore do the needful by releasing Mr. Nnamdi Kanu as a sign that he is ready to dialogue with his pro-Biafra group. He must remember that it is the right of any group to peacefully seek for secession if they feel marginalized in their present abode. The use of force is never the right approach to quell such agitation. As the father of all, let him do the needful by addressing the issues that led to the agitation in the first place.