The Ohanaeze Ndigbo has once again called on President Muhammadu Buhari to release the detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) Nnamdi Kanu.
The president of the apex Igbo socio-political group, Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, made the call 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.
While speaking at the ceremony which was attended by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, Iwuanyawu said; “Please, finally, our vice president, tell our brother and son, Buhari, that the Ohanaeze Ndigbo – the over 60 million Igbos – request that he should release Nnamdi Kanu.”
The Igbo nation will be “very grateful” if that is done, he said, adding that President Buhari should do it “before he departs” office on May 29th, 2023. He took the opportunity to refute assertions that the Igbos were eager to secede from Nigeria.
“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?” he asked.
In addition, Chief Iwuanyanwu praised Buhari for his love of the South East, which is demonstrated by the sheer volume of federal projects in the region.
“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 said