Buhari Is ‘Honorary Igbo Man’, Should Release Nnamdi Kanu Before Leaving Office – Ohanaeze

President Muhammadu Buhari has been urged for the umpteenth time to order the release of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), from detention by the Department of State Services (DSS).

The Ohanaeze Ndigbo made the appeal when the Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, visited Oguta in Imo State on Thursday to flag off the Oguta Lake/ Orashi River dredging project.

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The apex Igbo socio-cultural group said as a ‘honourary Igbo man’, President Buhari should consider complying with the court order freeing Kanu before the end of his tenure on May 29, 2023.

Speaking at the event, Ohanaeze’s new President-General, Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, said he was making the fresh on behalf of “over 60 million Igbos” in the country.

“I would like the vice president, when you go, tell Buhari we are very grateful. When he took office we were not happy, we complained. But today, at the point of departure, things have changed,” he noted.

“I can see that in most states a lot has been done. Here in Imo state, a lot has been done for us. So, I would like you to tell our son, Buhari, that we are very grateful. And I want Buhari to realize that he is an Igbo son, an honorary Igbo man.

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“He has been honoured by some Igbo states. I think Imo State has honoured him, and Ebonyi has honoured him. Chieftancy title in Igbo land is taken very seriously. You have to help us tell Buhari that he is an Igbo son, he is a member of Ohaneze Ndi Igbo by this honour given to him and what I am speaking here today, I am also speaking on his behalf.

“We are very grateful for what he has done, but before he goes, whatever he can do to bring this project to succeed will be highly appreciated,” he said.

Despite different court orders that ruled for his release, Kanu has remained in DSS detention in connection with the separatist movement of IPOB and its alleged armed wing, the Eastern Security Network.

But Iwuanyanwu told guests at the event that Igbos have no plan to secede from Nigeria.

“Igbos are not seceding. I don’t see why anybody will say Igbos are seceding. Igbos are everywhere. We have investments. Are we going to leave our investments?” he queried.

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