Iwuanyanwu Pledges To Diligently Defend Igbo Cause; Asks Buhari To Release Nnamdi Kanu
CHIEF Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu has promised to diligently defend the cause of the Igbos following his installation as the new President-General of Ohaneze Ndigbo.
Mr Iwuanyanwu was on Sunday inaugurated as the leader of the apex Igbo body at an event held at the old Government Lodge in Enugu during the Ime-Obi meeting (inner caucus) of the group.
Mr Iwuanyanwu said he never nurtured the ambition to be the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, instead, he had the ambition of becoming the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“I contested for the Presidency on three occasions but I did not succeed. I took my losses in good composure knowing full well that as a Christian, all powers and promotion come from God.
“But today, destiny has placed squarely on my shoulders the duty of leading the Igbos as the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide.
“I, therefore, have a duty to valiantly defend the Igbo course and I promise Ime-Obi and all Igbo people that by the grace of God I will not fail them,” he promised.
The new president-general used the occasion to appeal to President Muhammadu Buhari to release the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu from DSS custody.
Mr Iwuanyanwu also said the security situation in the South-East was very disturbing, adding that there was a very urgent need for a Peace Summit in Igboland.
“I will, therefore, make a special appeal to Mr President, General Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR to release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu before the expiration of his tenure on 29 May.
“Kanu is very crucial for any key discussion and it is not possible to negotiate any peace while Nnamdi Kanu is in prison.
“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 Kalu released from detention,” the new president-general said.
He added that there was a report that his health was deteriorating and, “I feel it is important that he is released to have access to his medical doctors so that he does not die in the prison”.
The inauguration was attended by Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State, Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra State and other prominent Igbo leaders including the Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, Enugu State governor-elect, Peter Mbah and former Imo State governor, Ikedi Ohakim.
Others were members of the National Assembly; Ministers; Adolphus Wabara; former President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Nnia Nwodo, amongst others. The governor of Ebonyi, who is the Chairman, South-East Governor’s Forum, David Umahi, Imo State governor, Hope Uzodinma and his Abia State counterpart, Okezie Ikpeazu were absent at the meeting but were represented by their deputies.
Eighteen-Eleven Media
