Kanu’s release tops agenda as Obasanjo meets Ohanaeze leaders
Talks about the release of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu; insecurity in the South-East region, amongst others, topped the agenda of the meeting held between former President, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, and some leaders of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide.
The Secretary-General of the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Chief Okey Emuchay, had, on Friday, disclosed that Obasanjo was in a closed-door meeting with the President of the group, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, in his Owerri, Imo State home.
Emuchay, in a statement made available on Saturday, noted that Obasanjo discussed issues of ‘mutual interest’ with the Ohanaeze chieftains at the meeting which lasted several hours.
He also described the meeting as ‘very symbolic and crucial’, adding that the deliberations were fruitful.
He further noted that the outcome of the meeting would soon manifest and would be appreciated by Igbo people worldwide.
The statement titled, “Issues of mutual interest were discussed”, read in part, “Our president-general informed Chief Obasanjo that Nigeria should erect monuments in his (Obasanjo’s) name for the sacrifices he has made.
“He recalled Obasanjo’s role in ending the civil war with the slogan ‘no victor, no vanquished’.
“Iwuanyanwu lauded Obasanjo’s patriotic and diplomatic initiatives as president that resulted in the country’s debt cancellation and his administration’s rejuvenation of the economy.
“He assured the former president that the Igbo people would bestow a befitting honour on him at an appropriate time for his love for the region.
“Remember that when Chief Obasanjo was president, he appointed several Igbo sons and daughters into high positions in his cabinet. A sense of belonging was provided to the Igbo nation during that time.”
Meanwhile, a source, who was present at the meeting with the former President, revealed to our correspondent that Kanu’s release and issues of insecurity plaguing the region were ‘thoroughly’ discussed.
“After deliberations on some matters of mutual interests, the leaders of Ohanaeze in their wisdom brought up Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s matter. He is our son. We will not deny him. Obasanjo and Ohanaeze discussed the matter thoroughly and assurances were given. That is all I can say right now but I am sure that the leadership of Ohanaeze will make more details known in due time,” the source, a member of the executive of Ohanaeze, said.
Our correspondent also learnt that Obasanjo was accompanied on the visit by the Asiwaju of Owo Kingdom, Otunba Oyewole Fasawe.
Also at the meeting were some Igbo leaders and Ohanaeze chieftains, including Emuchay; former Minister for Aviation, Ambassador Kema Chikwe, Bishop Sunday Onuoha of Methodist Church Nigeria; Former National Vice Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (South-East), Chief Fidelis Ozichukwu; former Abia State Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the PDP, Chief Tony Ukasanya.
Iwuanyanwu has persistently called for an end to the alleged marginalisation of the region and Kanu’s unconditional release from detention.
On Tuesday, June 29, 2021, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, announced in a press conference in Abuja that Kanu had been arrested and extradited to Nigeria from Kenya, after being intercepted in the East African country on Sunday, June 26, 2021, by Interpol.
He added that Kanu was brought back to Nigeria to face trial for charges bordering on treasonable felony instituted against him at the Federal High Court in Abuja, in response to years of separatist agitation for an independent Republic of Biafra through IPOB.
He had since then been going to court from the custody of the Department of State Services.
