Iwuanyanwu who spoke shortly after Imeobi Ohanaeze ratified his nomination as the new Ohanaeze President General on Sunday, in Enugu said that Kanu was very crucial for any key discussion and it would not be possible to negotiate any peace while in detention.
The new President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu has called for the immediate release of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu.
Iwuanyanwu who spoke shortly after Imeobi Ohanaeze ratified his nomination as the new Ohanaeze President General on Sunday, in Enugu said that Kanu was very crucial for any key discussion and it would not be possible to negotiate any peace while in detention.
He appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to release the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra before the expiration of his tenure in office.
"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 Kanu released from detention.
"There is also a report that his health is deteriorating. 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," he warned.
SaharaReporters had reported that the Imo State government nominated Iwuanyanwu to replace the former President General of the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Prof George Obiozor, who died in December 2022 after a brief illness.
At the Imeobi meeting held at the old government house lodge, Enugu, where Iwuanyanwu was presented and ratified as the new leader of Ohanaeze, were serving governors and former governors, former leaders of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, leaders of the South East traditional rulers council and senators among others.
The governors were led by the host and governor of Enugu State, Chief Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi and his Anambra State counterpart, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo.
The chairman of the Southeast Governors Forum and governor of Ebonyi State, Chief David Umahi, his Imo and Abia states’ counterparts, Senator Hope Uzodinma and Dr Okezie Ikpeazu respectively were represented by their deputies, Mr Kelechi Igwe, Prof. Placid Njoku and Ude Oko Chukwu respectively.
Also present at the event were the governor-elect of Enugu State, Peter Mbah; former governor of Anambra State and presidential candidate of Labour Party, Peter Obi; former governor of Imo State, Chief Ikedi Ohakim; former Presidents-General of Ohanaeze led by Chief Nnia Nwodo, former minister of health, Prof. ABC Nwosu, among others.
In his acceptance speech, Iwuanyanwu described the event as a remarkable day in his life, because it is a day when providence and the love of his people, Igbos propelled him to the position of President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide.
He noted that all through his life, he had done his best to serve the Igbo people both in times of war and times of peace.
Iwuanyanwu also disclosed that he did not nurture the ambition to be the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, adding that "instead, I 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 fully well that as a Christian, all powers and promotion comes 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 Igbo cause and I promise Ime-Obi and all Igbo people that by the grace of God I will not fail them."