The President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, has revealed that the Igbo apex socio-cultural organisation will soon meet with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to plead for the immediate release of the Indigenous People of Biafra leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
Iwuanyanwu made this disclosure on Saturday when he received a courtesy visit from the leadership of the Supreme Council of Nigeria Traditional Rulers, Southeast chapter, led by its President, HRM Eze Iheanyichukwu Nwokenna of Abia State, and Vice President, HRH Eze Dr Oliver Ohanwe, the Obi Gburu Gburu of Igboland and Chief Host, at his Glass House Orji-Owerri office complex.
Iwuanyanwu lamented that the Igbo ethnic group has been unfairly treated by the Federal Government due to the false impression created by other ethnic groups that the Igbo are secessionist. He said this has led to the suspicion and hostility towards any good intention of the group by the government.
He cited statistics to show that the Igbo are the real critical stakeholders in Nigeria’s project as they own over 60 per cent of the investments in the country. He added that their investments and residential identities are spread across the nation, unlike other ethnic groups that invest and reside only within their ethnic geographical location.
“Your request (Supreme Council of Nigeria Traditional Rulers, South East chapter) and solidarity visit have reinvigorated my leadership intention to see President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on issues concerning the Igbo ethnic group, more especially the need to release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu of IPOB. His continual detention is escalating insecurity in the Southeast.
“Let us see when he’s released, any person or group that will be instigating insecurity or crisis in Igboland using his name or detention. Some people and groups are illegally feasting on his popularity and detention just to cause unnecessary trouble and problems in the entire Southeast and for their own selfish interests. There must be peace and stability in Igboland. Immediate release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu will definitely restore sanity,” he said.
The Chief Host of the delegation, Eze Dr Oliver Ohanwe, the traditional ruler of Isiama ancient kingdom in Isiala-Mbano LGA of Imo State, said their visit was to have a mutual collaborative partnership with the leadership of the apex socio-cultural organisation.
Ohanwe stated that his organisation’s foremost desire of advocating for the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is a strategic means of arresting insecurity in the region and the need to have a harmonious cultural identity among the ethnic nationality.
He also disclosed plans to see President Tinubu, his leadership team, and some eminent Nigerians concerning the continual marginalisation of the ethnic group and the need to readdress the injustice especially as it concerns the continual detention of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu despite the court order for his immediate release.
