The first son of the late Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, the former President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has called on the federal government to fulfill his father’s last wish by securing the release of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra.
In a statement released on Sunday in Owerri, Jidechukwu Iwuanyanwu urged President Bola Tinubu to intervene in the matter and seek a political solution.
He shared that his father’s final public activity was a visit to the Department of State Services facility to see Nnamdi Kanu, where he was not allowed to drive in but was made to walk for over 20 minutes before being granted access.
Jidechukwu recounted that despite the challenges, his father pressed on and had a heartfelt conversation with Kanu. After returning home, Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu complained of chest pains and retired to his room to rest. The following morning, he suffered a breakdown and was rushed to the hospital, where he remained until his passing.
While at the hospital, Jidechukwu stated that his father continued to advocate for Kanu’s release and the establishment of the South East Development Commission, which he believed would greatly benefit the people of Ala Igbo.
Jidechukwu expressed confidence that if his father were still alive, he would be pleased to see his wish for Kanu’s release fulfilled. He emphasized that his father was a man of peace who deeply cared for both his people, Ndigbo, and Nigeria at large.
He further stated that Kanu’s release would not only bring peace but also help end the recurring Monday sit-at-home protests in the South East. As Kanu appears in court today, Jidechukwu urged the federal government to honor his father’s dying wish and bring about peace for the nation and the people of the South East.
The statement read “Undeterred, my father sojourned on to see Kanu, and had a father, son moment with Kanu.
“On returning home, my father complained of his heart and retired to his room to rest.
“The next morning he broke down, and was rushed to the hospital.
“He was at the hospital till his death. While at the hospital, he was still fighting for Kanu’s release and the realization of South East Development Commission for the betterment of Ala Igbo.
“I’m sure if he were alive he would have been happy to see one of his wishes come true.
“My father was a man of peace and a man who loved his people Ndigbo and Nigeria at large.
“Nnamdi Kanu’s release will bring further peace and also end the Monday’s sit-at-home in the South East zone.
“As Mazi Nnamdi appears in court today, therefore, I use this opportunity to urge the Federal Government to not let my father’s death be in vain, for his wish to be granted in releasing Mazi Kanu, which will also bring peace to our nation, Ndi Igbo.”
