Gov Uzodinma denies blocking Tinubu from releasing Nnamdi Kanu, accuses PDP of blackmail

Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State has refuted allegations that he obstructed President Bola Tinubu from assisting in the release of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). Uzodinma has accused the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of using this claim as a form of blackmail leading up to the Saturday governorship election in the state.

In a statement from his Special Adviser on Public Communications, Collins Ughalaa, Governor Uzodinma has stated that the PDP’s resort to blackmail is due to their realization that they might face defeat in the upcoming governorship election. He has firmly stated that the story of him preventing Tinubu from aiding in Kanu’s release is entirely untrue.

The statement partly reads: “We recognize that the disgruntled opposition party is capable of various actions, including supporting or financing activities that disrupt the state, but we believed they had some level of decency. However, their recent desperate attempt to smear Governor Hope Uzodinma with the false narrative that he is blocking the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu indicates their willingness to engage in unscrupulous acts.”

“In a fabricated story titled ‘Uzodinma blocking the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu – Tinubu,’ which is being circulated by the PDP and their representatives, the party wrongly accused the governor of obstructing Kanu’s release.”

“The entire story is completely false. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu never made the statement falsely attributed to him, and the governor did not take any steps to hinder Kanu’s release, nor did he request the President not to release Kanu. There is no justification for such action.”

Initial reports suggested that Tinubu had accused Uzodinma of preventing him from assisting in Kanu’s release during a meeting with Igbo businessmen in Abuja on Monday. However, the presidency has denied such reports, emphasizing that Tinubu never made such a statement.