Tinubu Asked to Free Incarcerated IPOB Leader Nnamdi Kanu: "Release Him"
- The Igbo nation marked 2025 World Igbo Day on September 29, 2025, in Awka, Anambra State
- September 29th every year is significant as it's day of reflection for thousands of Igbo killed in northern Nigeria on September 29, 1966, which sparked the civil war
- Ohaneze Ndigbo, traditional rulers and stakeholders used the occasion to call on President Tinubu to release the IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu
The President General of Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide, Senator Azuta Mbata, has explained why the World Igbo Day, marked 29th of September every year is significant and remarkable to Ohaneze and the Igbo people worldwide.
The apex Igbo socio-cultural organization leader explained that the 29th September marks the day thousands of Igbo people were gruesomely massacred in the Northern Nigeria on 29th September, 1966, a development he said formed part of the reason the Nigeria/Biafra war was fought.
Source: Original
World Igbo Day highlights unity, remembrance
Represented by the National Vice President of Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide, Prince Okey Nwadinobi, Sen. Mbata urged for unity in Nigeria, and asked that such should not be allowed to happen again in Nigeria.
He said:
"We're here today, not in celebration, but in commemoration; to remember thousands of our brothers and sisters, who were gruesomely massacred on 29 September, 1966, in the northern Nigeria; as well as some others killed in similar manner before and during the war. Our collective prayer is that the blood they shed for the survival of the Igbo nation and its people shall not be in vain.
"Today, we can boldly say that we stand for one united Nigeria. Ndigbo have sacrificed so much for the development and survival of this project called Nigeria. We also ask that we be integrated and treated as part of the Nigerian nation. We do not request for preferential treatment. We asked that Ndigbo be given its rightful place in the country."
Igbo leaders renew call for Kanu’s release
He ceased the opportunity to call on President Ahmed Bola Tinubu and the federal government to release the leader of the Indegenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, who he said, had stayed in detention for too long.
"As long as Nnamdi Kanu remains behind bars, Ndigbo remain behind bars. So, as this request gets to Mr. President today, we believe he will do the needful and release him," he said.
In his speech, Governor Charles Soludo also echoed the need to release Nnamdi Kanu. Soludo recalled that when Nnamdi Kanu was first arrested under the administration of former President Mohammadu Buhari, he was the first person who led a delegation to visit the IPOB leader at the Kuje Prison; adding that he also wrote a letter to the former president to release him.
"Today, again, I join my voice with those of Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide, and other well meaning Nigerians, to still request of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to graciously hear our prayers and release Nnamdi Kanu," he said.
The governor, however, condemned "criminals," who in the name of fighting for Igbo emancipation, live in the bush, and from there, kidnap and torment their brothers and sisters in Igboland; stressing that such is not what Igbo people are known for.
In an exclusive interview with Legit.ng correspondent in Anambra, a prominent traditional ruler in the state, HRH Igwe Augustine Ozoemenam Nwankwo, joined his voice to those of Ohaneze Ndigbo President General, and that of Governor Chukwuma Soludo, on the call for the release of Nnamdi Kanu.
Igwe Nwankwo, who is the traditional ruler of Isiagu ancient kingdom in Awka South local government area of Anambra State, said:
"If our father, who is Mr. President would listen to our calls and release him, Igbo people will be happy. Release of Nnamdi Kanu will bring relief to the Igbo nation and Nigeria in general; and cases of insecurity associated with his continued detention will also die down."
Source: Twitter
In an exclusive interview with Legit.ng correspondent, the President of Ohaneze Ndigbo in Lagos State, Chief Solomon Ogbonna Aguene, also called for release of Nnamdi Kanu, and urged the federal government to graciously release him.
He said:
"Nnamdi Kanu did nothing compared to others that were detained and later released. I don't understand why his case has become different. I've asked this question several times."
Also in an exclusive interview, traditional ruler of Umueri in Anambra East local government area of the state, HRH Igwe Ben Emeka (Okebo II), advised that Igbo people should learn from the theme of the 2025 World Igbo Day celebration which is "Leave No One Behind," or "Be Your Brothers' Keeper."
The monarch expressed worry that apart from the persecution suffered by Igbo people in the hands of Nigerians, the same Igbo people came back and started killing themselves by way of armed robbery, kidnapping, and living in the bush to disturb people.
"That is not the way of life of Igbo people," he said.
"Igbo are known for their love for one another, their resilience and entreprenural spirit. Igbo don't make their money through false means."
He also asked Igbo traditional rulers to verify people's sources of livelihood before bestowing titles on them to avoid giving chieftaincy titles to criminals.
Former President General of Nando in Anambra East local government area of the state, Mr. Anthony-Mary Omali, also called for the release of the IPOB leader. In an exclusive chat with Legit.ng, Omali insisted that Nnamdi Kanu committed no crime to necessitate his continued incarceration for years.
The Deputy President General of the Association of Past Presidents General in Anambra State, Nze Ezeomenyilioha Basil Osuokwu, also told Legit.ng correspondent that Nnamdi Kanu ought not remain in detention till now. He urged President Tinubu, as a matter of urgency, to release him in the spirit of one Nigeria.
Highpoint of the celebration was a chieftaincy title bestowed on Governor Chukwuma Soludo.
Chairman of Anambra traditional rulers council, and traditional ruler of Obosi ancient kingdom, Igwe Chudubem Iweka, conferred the title of "Oku Nyelu Ife Ndigbo" on Mr. Governor on behalf of other monarchs. The title, if translated, means "He that Brings the Light."
President of Ohaneze Ndigbo in Anambra State, Mazi Chukwuma Okpalaezeukwu, explained that Anambra has been "Home for All" until it later became "Light of the Nation." He emphasized that the state started shining brighter as true light of the nation when Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo became governor. This, he said, necessitated the title bestowed on him.
Armed vigilantes storm corps members'' lodge
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that a disturbing video surfaced on social media showing armed vigilante operatives brutally assaulting a female corps member and her colleagues in Anambra state.
The operatives, identified as members of Operation Udo Ga-Achi, also known as the Agunechemba Vigilante Group, were seen storming a corps members’ lodge and attacking occupants despite their efforts to prove their identity.
Source: Legit.ng
