Minister of works, Senator David Nweze Umahi has stated that the Federal government is open to negotiating the release of IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu.
Disclosing this while addressing journalists in Lagos, on Friday night, Umahi stated however, that the FG does not want the negotiation to be used as a condition for political support from the South East.
While declared unwavering supper for “his boss” Tinubu, the minister dismissed claims that the South East was making Kanu’s release a prerequisite for backing President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
He stated that the south East would support Tinubu whether or not Nnamdi Kanu is released, saying; “The international community has confidence in his reforms”.
He said; “Somebody asked me about Nnamdi Kanu, and I said his matter is not a condition for the South East to support the President.
“We are willing to negotiate his release, but no one should make it a condition because the President did not put him there.”
Furthermore, Umahi described president Tinubu as a “listening leader” saying that Kanu’s release would definitely come through divine grace and dialogue rather than pressure or political demands.
According to the former Governor of Ebonyi state, President Tinubu may not be perfect, but he is doing most things right.
He highlighted ongoing federal projects including road rehabilitation works and other infrastructure developments abandoned by previous administrations.
He stated that as an evidence of how the president has taken the economy from its former point to where it is today.
He added; “That is why we are getting support for our projects.
“Let those criticising the President show us what they have done for the country.”
Additionally, Umahi dismissed claims the South East is being marginalized, as he clarified that the president has done more good works in the region than the past leaders.
The minister wooed South eastern political leaders under the APC to unite together just as he stated that even governors in the opposition were collaborating well with the President.
On speculations of his presidency ambitions, Umahi said he is solidly behind Tinubu and would not dare oppose him.
According to him, his sticking with the president has given the South East a voice at the centre as he rejected that the region would ever have to go back to “Egypt”.
