By Akinwale Kasali
Following his ratification by the Imeobi Ohaneze as the President General of the Igbo Apex Socio Political Group, Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Emmanuel Iwuayanwu has called for the immediate release of the Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu by the Federal Government.
Iwuayanwu called on President Muhammadu Buhari to release the proscribed IPOB Leader before he leaves office on May 29th, 2023.
According to him, Kanu is very crucial for any key discussion and it is not possible to negotiate any peace while he is in detention.
“It is also important to note that the judiciary has discharged and freed Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. It will be the joy of many Igbo people and Nigerians to see Mazi Nnamdi Kanu released from detention.
“There is also a report that his health is deteriorating. I feel it is important that he is released to have access to his medical doctors so that he does not die in prison,” he warned.
The elder statesman made this assertion during the Imeobi meeting held at the old Government House Lodge, Enugu, where he was presented and ratified as the new leader of Ohanaeze.
In attendance were serving governors and former governors, former leaders of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, leaders of the South-East traditional rulers council and senators among others present.
The governors were led by the host and Governor of Enugu State, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and his Anambra State counterpart, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo.
The Chairman of the South-East Governors’ Forum and Governor of Ebonyi State, David Umahi, his Imo and Abia counterparts, Senator Hope Uzodimma and Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, respectively, were represented by their deputies, Mr Kelechi Igwe, Prof. Placid Njoku and Ude Oko Chukwu.
Also present at the event was the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi; Governor-elect of Enugu State, Peter Mbah; former governor of Anambra State, former governor of Imo State, Ikedi Ohakim; former president-generals of Ohanaeze led by Nnia Nwodo, former Minister of Health, Prof. ABC Nwosu, among others.
It would recalled that Iwuayanwu was nominated by the Imo State Government to replace the former president-general of the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Prof George Obiozor, who died in December 2022 after a brief illness.
