Lawrence Ndubeze, Awka
The Forum of State Presidents of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has made a passionate appeal to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to order the unconditional release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
The demand was made in Awka, the Anambra State capital, during a media briefing tagged “Awka Declaration 2025” by state presidents of Ohanaeze Ndigbo.
Speaking on behalf of the forum, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo President in Rivers State, Livingstone Wechie, said that as long as Nnamdi Kanu remains in detention, all Igbo people feel imprisoned. He urged President Tinubu to look beyond sentiments and release Kanu to restore peace in the South-East.
“As long as Nnamdi Kanu remains unjustly in prison, to us, all Igbos are in jail. We beg you, Mr. President, to do just one thing for Ndigbo — look away from sentiment and release Nnamdi Kanu to us, so that Ndigbo may have peace.
We make a Save Our Soul demand today for the unconditional release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, without further delay, through this passionate appeal to His Excellency, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, President and Commander-in-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
Wechie also demanded the immediate and unconditional release of all Igbo persons detained across Nigeria in connection with the Biafra agitation, including those arrested during the 2020 Oyigbo incident in Rivers State.
He commended President Tinubu for establishing the South-East Investment Company and the South-East Development Commission but urged him to take more deliberate steps toward integrating Igbo people into the national governance structure.
“We strongly urge Mr. President to demonstrate his patriotic spirit by taking extraordinary and intentional steps to fully incorporate and integrate Ndigbo into Nigeria’s governance system. This will give them a fuller sense of belonging, especially in terms of economic and political inclusiveness.”
Wechie said such efforts would promote Igbo participation in national decision-making and ensure equitable distribution of infrastructure projects in the region.
He commended Governors Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State and Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State for their support and for providing an enabling environment for Igbo advocacy. He also urged Igbo political leaders to prioritize efforts toward securing the release of Kanu and others, to restore peace and confidence in the region.
Wechie warned that any Igbo person working against the release of Kanu and others would be regarded as an enemy of the Igbo nation and would be “put to shame.”
He also criticized the exclusion of the South-East from Nigeria’s high-pressure gas pipeline infrastructure, despite its abundant natural gas reserves, and called for deliberate federal investment in gas infrastructure within the region.
“We demand the deliberate establishment of gas infrastructure investment in Igbo land, particularly the South-East, where Nigeria has one of the highest gas deposits, to ensure that the region benefits from its natural resources.
“The exclusion of the South-East from the nation’s gas pipeline projects is unacceptable. This omission, despite our industrial potential, reinforces the longstanding narrative of neglect.”
The forum also expressed support for the creation of Anioma State and other proposed states, urging the National Assembly and President Tinubu to facilitate their establishment. It further called on the Federal Government and the Edo State Government to protect the rights and safety of Igbanke communities in Edo State.
The group commended Senator John Azuta Mbata, President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, for his leadership and efforts in promoting unity and peace among Igbos globally.
Finally, the forum encouraged all Igbos, at home and abroad, to participate actively in the ongoing voter registration exercise for their collective progress and representation.
