Release Nnamdi Kanu now-Ohaneze ndi Igbo

By Eche Nwaobasi -Nnewi

The Igbo Apex body ohaneze ndi has once more again a passionate apeal to President Nola Ahmed Tinubu to release Nnamdi Kanu the IPOB leader from detaintion saying that his release is the best that will help to calm tension and bring the much expected national reconciliation.
Making this apeal to President Tinubu while speaking during the last world Igbo Day celebration held at Ekwueme square Aroma Awka the capital of Anambra state last week,
The president general of Ohaneze Ndigbo represented by Prince Okee Nwadinaobi while noting the importance of Igbo Day marked every September 29 every year stated that day is significant and remarkable to Ohaneze and the Igbo people world-wide as September 29 marks the day thousands of Igbo people were gruesomely massacred in the Northern Nigeria on September 29, 1966, a development he said formed part of the reason the Nigeria/Biafra war was fought. While expressing happiness on the new spirit of unity and love among igbos now as been championed by ohaneze, Senator Mbata solicited for enduring unity in Nigeria, and asked that such like civil war should not be allowed to happen again in Nigeria.

Said he,”We’re here today, not in celebration, but in commemoration; to remember thousands of our brothers and sisters, who were gruesomely massacred on 29 September, 1966, in the northern Nigeria; as well as some others killed in similar manner before and during the war. Our collective prayer is that the blood they shed for the survival of the Igbo nation and its people shall not be in vain.

“Today, we can boldly say that we stand for one united Nigeria. Ndigbo have sacrificed so much for the development and survival of this project called Nigeria. We also ask that we be integrated and treated as part of the Nigerian nation. We do not request for preferential treatment. We asked that Ndigbo be given its rightful place in the country.”

Continuing,he said,”As long as Nnamdi Kanu remains behind bars, Ndigbo remain behind bars. So, as this request gets to Mr. President today, we believe he will do the needful and release him,” he said.

In his speech, Governor Charles Soludo also echoed the need to release Nnamdi Kanu. Soludo recalled that when Nnamdi Kanu was first arrested under the administration of former President Mohammadu Buhari, he was the first person who led a delegation to visit the IPOB leader at the Kuje Prison; adding that he also wrote a letter to the former president to release him.

“Today, again, I join my voice with those of Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide, and other well meaning Nigerians, to still request of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to graciously hear our prayers and release Nnamdi Kanu,” he said.

The governor, however, condemned “criminals,” who in the name of fighting for Igbo emancipation, live in the bush, and from there, kidnap and torment their brothers and sisters in Igboland; stressing that such is not what Igbo people are known for.

In an interview with our correspondent, a prominent traditional ruler in the state, HRH Igwe Augustine Ozoemenam Nwankwo, joined his voice to those of Ohaneze Ndigbo President General, and that of Governor Chukwuma Soludo, on the call for the release of Nnamdi Kanu.

In an exclusive interview, the president of Ohaneze Ndigbo in Lagos state, Chief Solomon Ogbonna Aguene, also called for release of Nnamdi Kanu, and urged the federal government to graciously release him. He said: “Nnamdi Kanu did nothing compared to others that were detained and later released. I don’t understand why his case has become different. I’ve asked this question several times.”

Also in an exclusive interview, traditional ruler of Umueri in Anambra East local government area of the state, HRH Igwe Ben Emeka (Okebo II), advised that Igbo people should learn from the theme of the 2025 World Igbo Day celebration which is “Leave No One Behind,” or “Be Your Brothers’ Keeper.” The monarch expressed worry that apart from the persecution suffered by Igbo people in the hands of Nigerians, the same Igbo people came back and started killing themselves by way of armed robbery, kidnapping, and living in the bush to disturb people.

“That is not the way of life of Igbo people,” he said. “Igbo are known for their love for one another, their resilience and entreprenural spirit. Igbo don’t make their money through false means.”

He also asked Igbo traditional rulers to verify people’s sources of livelihood before bestowing titles on them to avoid giving chieftaincy titles to criminals

Highpoint of the celebration was a chieftaincy title bestowed on Governor Chukwuma Soludo. Chairman of Anambra traditional rulers council, and traditional ruler of Obosi ancient kingdom, Igwe Chudubem Iweka, conferred the title of “Oku Nyelu Ife Ndigbo” on Mr. Governor on behalf of other monarchs. The title, if translated, means “He that Brings the Light.”

President of Ohaneze Ndigbo in Anambra state, Mazi Chukwuma Okpalaezeukwu, explained that Anambra has been “Home for All” until it later became “Light of the Nation.” He emphasised that the state started shining brighter as true light of the nation when Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo became governor. This, he said, necessitated the title bestowed on him.