Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the apex socio-cultural organisation in the South-East geo-political zone has again appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to release the detained leader of the Indigenous People Of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.
The new leader of the group, Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, made the appeal on Thursday at the flag-off of the pre-dredging and hydrographic survey of the proposed sea access route of the Urashi-Oguta waterways through Degema to the Atlantic Ocean in Imo State.
Addressing Vice President Yemi Osinbajo who attended the event in Oguta area of the state, Mr Iwuanyanwu said the people of the Igbo-speaking region will be very grateful if he accedes to their request “before he departs.”
Mr Buhari, whose administration extraordinarily renditioned Mr Kanu from Kenya to continue treasonable felony and terrorism trial slammed on his by the federal government, leaves office May 29, 2023.
Mr Kanu is detained at the State Security Service (SSS) headquarters in Abuja, the nation’s capital.
While making the appeal, the Ohanaeze chieftain dispelled fears of Igbos seceding from the country.
“Igbos are not seceding. I don’t see why anybody will say Igbos are seceding. Igbos are everywhere. We have investments. Are we going to leave our investments?” Mr Iwuanyanwu asked, continuing: “I would like the vice president, when you go, tell Buhari we are very grateful. When he took office we were not happy, we complained. But today, at the point of departure, things have changed.
“I can see that in most states a lot has been done. Here in Imo state, a lot has been done for us. So, I would like you to tell our son, Buhari, that we are very grateful. And I want Buhari to realize that he is an Igbo son, an honorary Igbo man.
“He has been honoured by some Igbo states. I think Imo State has honoured him, and Ebonyi has honoured him. Chieftancy title in Igbo land is taken very seriously. You have to help us tell Buhari that he is an Igbo son, he is a member of Ohaneze Ndi Igbo by this honour given to him and what I am speaking here today, I am also speaking on his behalf.
“We are very grateful for what he has done, but before he goes, whatever he can do to bring this project to succeed will be highly appreciated,” he added.
