By Dr Chinedu Jideofo-Ogbuagu

Militancy as a weapon to secure release of Nnamdi Kanu and others detained extra-judicially was just one option. To us, it was never even the best option.

Even if militancy was to be employed, it would be as a last resort and it must directly affect the people holding Kanu and others.

Right now, the people holding them are not affected by sit-at-home and associated violence. It doesn’t cost them anything.

We should try another option. This option must be peaceful, non-violent and effective. We should go on direct, persuasive rule-of-law activism that we will use all arms of the media and mass communication to get to the world on daily basis and in a sustainable manner.

Within a month of stopping sit-at-home and starting this rule-of-law campaign, we expect that the people holding Kanu and others will release them.

One thing we must not do is expect any Government official to – without any well-organised real pressure on a non-governmental organisation (NGO) platform – release Kanu and other individuals in detention against court order.

If President Tinubu would release Kanu and others without the proposed rule-of-law campaign, it would be only for political reasons and it would be conditional release. Even then, pressures from certain quarters would be against their release.

We should move fast on this rule-of-law activism as a viable and guaranteed option. We need people to support the rights group registration as an NGO and acquisition of a campaign coordination office in Enugu to start with.

We must know that what we are embarking on will cost money – from group registration at Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) to acquisition of an office accommodation to acquisition of at least one operational vehicle to personnel expenses to other operational costs.

Support of this plan for release of Kanu and other detainees against court order cannot be by lip-service. It has to be practical and financial.

Let me give us an idea of the initial funding required:
Registration – N200,000.
Office rental – N1.5m (with basic furniture).
Initial press conference – N500,000.
Total initial cost: N2.2m.

Let’s have your financial and practical support. We are sure to solve sit-at-home and secure release of Kanu and others without firing a shot. The collosal economic wastage associated with sit-at-home will stop with success of the proposed rule-of-law campaign.

Dr Chinedu Jideofo-Ogbuagu wrote via 07068400040 and can be reached via email: ndcltd@yahoo.co.uk
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