The Council of South East Traditional rulers has appealed to the Federal Government to release the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, saying his freedom will reduce tension in the region.

The Chairman of the Council, Igwe Samuel Asadu, made the call at a forum in Abuja on Sunday.

Mr Asadu said that the council was in support of stakeholders’ call for his release such as the South-East governors, lawmakers and the entire people of the zone.

He said, “He is our son. He has been there for a long time, inspite of the ups and down with the judiciary. Of course, we back the Governors’ Forum and other stakeholders’ call for his release so that tension will be reduced.

Mr Asadu said that the Kanu’s release would to a large extent usher in a relative calmness and evoke joy to the people of the zone.

He stated, “If the President looks into that and gives him a pardon, we will be excited. It is affecting our area, because of his absence. Some of the people are his diehard fans. So, who will want to have his son locked up for a long time, of course we are praying every day, all the traditional rulers are praying for Nnamdi Kanu to be released. We feel his pains and the pain of his family. It will be a gift if the President does that. We will come back to thank him in a big way.’’

(NAN)