Eze Iweka III calls on FG to release Nnamdi Kanu
… warns illegal revenue collectors to leave Obosi
By Uzo Ebele
The Eze Iweka III of Obosi, His Majesty, Igwe Chidubem Iweka has implored the Federal Government to release the self styled leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu as a panacea to the violent killings perpetrated by unknown gunmen in the South East who claim to be protesting against the incarceration of the IPOB leader.
The monarch also warned fake revenue collectors known as ‘Ndintu’ who have maimed and killed several unsuspecting motorists to vacate Obosi Community before the arm of the law catches up with them.
Eze Iweka III made the call at his palace in Obosi community, Anambra State as he marked ten years on the throne during his 9th New Yam celebration porpularly called Obiora festival.
He recalled that the South East Traditional Rulers Council(SETRC) issued a press release on October 18, 2021 demanding the unconditional release of Nnamdi Kanu saying that the publication was a general consensus reflecting the minds of the Igbo people.
“The SETRC spoke our minds. I reiterate that the Federal Government should release our son, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. If he is released this tension in the South East will douse. The dust will settle then if someone says he is ‘unknown gunmen’ we will know what the person is gunning for”.
“For us Traditional Rulers we will not get our desire from Federal Government through violence because the the world has procedures for everything. One can seek redress at the International Court of Justice or the ECOWAS court. Let us follow due process. Let the killings stop”.
“I was among the youngest combatant soldiers in the Biafran Army. At the age of 12 years, I was at Calabar Strike force, 8th Commando Brigade during the war but the world has gone far beyond violence in agitating for certain courses.”, said Eze Iweka III.
The monarch urged Federal Government to engage the Biafran agitators with Igbo leaders in a dialogue to determine their grievances with the aim of proffering solutions.
“Federal Government should call these IPOB boys including Nnamdi Kanu and Igbo leaders to a round table conference. Hear them out, ask the agitators why do they really want Biafra?
” The ongoing violence is being politicized. Federal Government is saying that IPOB is behind the killings while IPOB has been denying it. Some are accusing politicians. So it boils down to employing dialogue”, he said.
Moreover, Eze Iweka III decried the mayhem being unleashed on daily basis by fake revenue collectors on commercial drivers who ply through Owerri-Onitsha road/Obosi bypass calling on State government to clamp down on the criminals who had maimed and caused death of several road users.
” These touts,’Ndintu’ have killed many people plying this Obosi roads. My friends wife died because a trailer fleeing from Ndintu’crushed the commercial tricycle (Kekenapep) the woman boarded. An elderly man was killed this year on this Obosi road by them. Last week another driver lost an eye as a result of the severe beating in the hands of these hoodlums”.
“Several times I personally arrested some of them and when they get to the police they claim that they got authorization papers from top State Government officials. Their accomplices in Government do deny authorizing them when contacted. These criminals should have been prosecuted but for want of witnesses because their victims are usually on transit” said Eze Iweka.
Earlier in his remarks, Eze Iweka III described Obiora festival as a period of thanking God for great harvests, celebrating new yam in Obosi Ukwalla kingdom usually characterized by sharing of gifts and showing love to family, friends and neighbors. “Anyone who fights within the four native market days of Obiora festival would be fined by the traditionalists”.
Highlights of the Obiora festival was the Chieftaincy installation of the President General, Obosi Development Union, Engr Ikechukwu Okoro as ‘Ife Obosi’ and the President Obosi Urban Landlords Associations, Chief Emeka Asimonye as ‘Dikedioramma Obosi’.
They both thanked Eze Iweka III, Eze na ndi Ichie Obosi, Ndi Nze na Ozo, and entire Community for bestowing such honour on them pledging to do more in contributing to the peace, security and developmental projects of both Obosi inland and urban Communities.
Meanwhile, Chairman Oduke Landlords, Chief Nicholas Ochendo Okwenado and his Vice, Chief Sylvester Uzo, Odu Okija, Secretary Enekwasumpu Landlords, Hon. Osita Akigwe, Odu Nimo and Mr Christian Nnamdi Njubigbo,CNN all eulogized Chief Emeka Asimonye, Dikedioramma describing him as an astute administrator who seeks the welfare of the people, attracted creation of more political wards by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and ensured that Obosi Community gets double slots of any community developmental projects from Government due to its vastness.
Moreso, MTN telecommunication network company empowered 10 residents of Obosi Community with MTN retail starter packs as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility to their host communities.
Pics: Eze Iweka III of Obosi
Installing the President of Obosi Urban Landlords Associations, Chief Emeka Asimonye as Dikedioramma Obosi.
