The agenda items of the meeting between former President Chief Olusegun Obasanjo and several leaders of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide included discussions about the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra who is currently jailed, as well as issues related to insecurity in the South-East region.
On Friday, Chief Okey Emuchay, the Secretary-General of the leading Igbo socio-cultural organization, revealed that Obasanjo was meeting behind closed doors in his Owerri, Imo State, residence with the group’s President, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu.
In a statement released on Saturday, Emuchay stated that throughout the lengthy meeting, Obasanjo spoke with the Ohanaeze chieftains about matters of “mutual interest.”
In addition, he said that the discussions were productive and that the meeting was “very symbolic and crucial.”
He added that the meeting’s outcome would materialize shortly and be welcomed by Igbo people everywhere.
“Our president-general informed Chief Obasanjo that Nigeria should erect monuments in his (Obasanjo’s) name for the sacrifices he has made,” the statement headlined “Issues of mutual interest were discussed” said in part.
“He cited Obasanjo’s contribution to putting an end to the Civil War under the banner ‘no victor, no vanquished.'”
Iwuanyanwu praised Obasanjo’s nationalistic and diplomatic actions as president, which led to the elimination of the nation’s debt and the revival of the economy under his watch.
“He told the former president that because of his affection for the area, the Igbo people would give him a proper honor at the right moment.
“Keep in mind that Chief Obasanjo nominated a number of Igbo sons and daughters to important posts in his cabinet during his tenure as president. The Igbo nation was given a sense of belonging at that time.
A witness to the meeting with the former President informed our correspondent that Kanu’s release and the security problems afflicting the area were “thoroughly” discussed.
“After discussing a few issues of shared interest, the Ohanaeze leaders wisely brought up the issue of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. He’s our boy. We won’t turn him away. Obasanjo and Ohanaeze had a detailed discussion about the issue and exchanged assurances. That’s all I have to say for now, but I have no doubt that Ohanaeze’s leadership will reveal more information when the time comes, according to the source, who is an executive member of the organization.
Additionally, our correspondent has learned that Otunba Oyewole Fasawe, the Asiwaju of Owo Kingdom, accompanied Obasanjo during his visit.
Several Igbo leaders and Ohanaeze chieftains attended the meeting as well, including Emuchay, Bishop Sunday Onuoha of the Methodist Church of Nigeria, Ambassador Kema Chikwe, a former minister for aviation, Chief Fidelis Ozichukwu, a former national vice chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (South-East), and Chief Tony Ukasanya, a former chairman of the PDP’s board of trustees from Abia State.
Iwuanyanwu has consistently demanded that Kanu be released from detention without conditions and that the region stop being marginalized.
At a press conference in Abuja on Tuesday, June 29, 2021, Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice Abubakar Malami declared that Kanu had been apprehended and extradited to Nigeria from Kenya after Interpol had intercepted him on Sunday, June 26, 2021, in the East African nation.
According to him, Kanu was returned to Nigeria to stand trial for treasonous felonies brought against him at the Federal High Court in Abuja. This was done in reaction to years of separatist agitation by IPOB for the creation of an independent Republic of Biafra.
Since then, he has been appearing in court while being held by the Department of State Services.
