Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo, has officially declared that the Igbos have acknowledged President Bola Tinubu as the constitutionally elected President of Nigeria. Simultaneously, he has appealed for the release of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
Speaking in an interview with Arise Television on Sunday, Iwuayanwu revealed that, following consultations with fellow Igbo people, there was unanimous acceptance of Tinubu as the President. He expressed the belief that Tinubu could play a crucial role in facilitating the release of Nnamdi Kanu, ultimately contributing to peace in the South-East region.
Despite IPOB asserting the “unconstitutionality” of Kanu’s ongoing detention and advocating for a legal right to self-determination under international laws, Iwuanyanwu emphasized that consultations within the Igbo community affirmed their acceptance of Tinubu as President.
He argued that Kanu’s release would aid Nigeria’s security agencies in distinguishing between criminals and law-abiding citizens. Iwuanyanwu highlighted that criminals often exploit Kanu’s detention as a cover for their unlawful activities in the South-East.
Moreover, he pointed out the adverse impact of the sit-at-home directive, noting the significant hardship it causes to Igbo businesses. Iwuanyanwu emphasized that the release of Nnamdi Kanu would contribute to the restoration of normalcy in the region.
As part of his mandate, Iwuanyanwu stated that he had appealed to President Bola Tinubu for Kanu’s release. He expressed confidence that once Kanu is free, the President would listen to the concerns of the South-East leaders.
Iwuanyanwu reiterated the acceptance of Tinubu as President by Igbos across various states in Nigeria, pledging full support while urging Tinubu to address the challenges faced by the region.
