The elder statesman made the appeal on Thursday while speaking at the flag-off of the pre-dredging and hydrographic survey of the proposed sea access route of the Urashi-Oguta waterways through Degema to the Atlantic Ocean in Oguta, Imo State.
The President-General of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, has again urged President Muhammadu Buhari to release the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, before leaving office on May 29.
The elder statesman made the appeal on Thursday while speaking at the flag-off of the pre-dredging and hydrographic survey of the proposed sea access route of the Urashi-Oguta waterways through Degema to the Atlantic Ocean in Oguta, Imo State.
Chief Iwuanyanwu who dispelled fears that Igbos wanted to leave the country, also lauded Buhari for his love for the South-East which was reflected in the number of Federal Government projects in the region.
He said; “Please, finally, our Vice President, tell our brother and son, Buhari, that the Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the over 60 million Igbos request that he should release Nnamdi Kanu.
"President Buhari should do it before he departs office on May 29th, 2023, the Igbo nation will be very grateful if that is done.
“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?
“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.
“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.
“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,” the Ohanaeze added.
President Muhammadu Buhari had early May also been urged to release Kanu, from detention, as he was set to leave office.
Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the apex Igbo socio-political organization, had said Buhari should release Kanu as his parting gift to Nigerians.
A chieftain of the group, Okechukwu Isiguzoro, had said if the Federal Government could grant pardon to Boko Haram members, then Kanu should be released.