In a groundbreaking declaration, the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo, Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, announced the widespread acceptance of President Bola Tinubu by the Igbo community, asserting that members across the country now consider him their president. Iwuanyanwu expressed this support during an exclusive interview with Arise Television on Sunday, December 17, 2023, shedding light on the sentiments of the Igbo people and addressing critical issues impacting the region.
Emphasizing his role as a leader of Ohanaeze, Iwuanyanwu disclosed that one of his mandates is to advocate for the release of Nnamdi Kanu. He revealed that he has sought an appointment with President Tinubu to facilitate Kanu’s release, citing its potential to help differentiate between criminals and honest, dedicated Nigerians within the region.
“We are part of Nigeria, we are committed to Nigeria, we believe in Nigeria, we have, over the years, made contributions to the building of Nigeria. So, if we cry to our leader, the president, to say this is our problem, I believe he will definitely listen to us,” affirmed Iwuanyanwu.
Highlighting the unity of the Igbo people behind President Tinubu, he declared, “Igbos in all the various states in Nigeria have now accepted Tinubu as our president, and we have pledged, and I say that on behalf of our people, that we are going to give Tinubu every support. But we expect Tinubu to look at this problem we have. We expect him to solve this problem which all of us are talking about.”
In a strategic move to address security concerns in the Southeast, Iwuanyanwu emphasized the importance of Nnamdi Kanu’s release. He articulated that the release would aid Nigeria and security agencies in distinguishing between criminals and dedicated Nigerians, fostering a more accurate assessment of individuals within the region.
The Ohanaeze leader also touched upon the issue of criminals exploiting Kanu’s detention, noting, “Some people stay outside Nigeria and, from time to time, mobilize armed robbers, gunmen, even declare sit at home” in the region. This veiled reference, likely alluding to Simon Ekpa, highlighted concerns about external influences affecting the stability of the Southeast.
Iwuanyanwu went on to address the adverse impact of the sit-at-home order on businesses in Igbo land, describing it as a significant contributor to economic hardship in the region. He firmly asserted that the restoration of normalcy in the Southeast hinges on the release of Nnamdi Kanu.
As Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo openly declares support for President Tinubu and calls for the release of Nnamdi Kanu, the region’s political landscape takes a noteworthy turn, emphasizing the importance of unity and effective leadership in addressing complex challenges.
