Osita Okechukwu, an All Progressives Congress (APC) member has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to honour elder statesman Mbazulike Amechi with the release of IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu.

“I join Ohaneze Ndigbo, eminent constitutional lawyer and Chairman, Igbo Leaders of Thought, Prof. Ben Nwabueze, and people of goodwill nationwide in commending President Muhammadu Buhari for accepting to consider the release of held leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.

“I also appeal to IPOB to support Nigeria President of Igbo extraction 2023 project. Methinks IPOB support will kill two birds with one stone,” Mr Okechukwu, also the Director General of Voice of Nigeria (VON) said.

Speaking with journalists in Abuja on Sunday, Mr Okechukwu appealed to IPOB to support Nigerian president of Igbo extraction 2023 project.

Igbo leaders led by the first Aviation Minister, Mr Amaechi, had visited President Buhari at Aso Villa at the weekend, where they requested the president to release the IPOB leader, who was abducted in Kenya in June.

Mr Kanu had fled Nigeria in 2017, jumping bail after his Afaraukwu home in Abia was invaded by soldiers. He is being tried of treason.

Asked if IPOB support for Nigerian president of Igbo extraction 2023 project was a precondition for the release of Kanu, Mr Okechukwu said no.

“Capital No, it is not a precondition, all am saying is that Mr President and host of other Nigerians are silently in support of Nigeria president of Igbo extraction 2023 project, but are weary and reticent of IPOB stance.

“Therefore, in my little opinion, IPOB support of our project will kill two birds with one stone,” Mr Okechukwu said.

He further explained that one stone was the release of Mr Kanu, another was the return of economic activities in South-East and thirdly IPOB support will no doubt rekindle wider support for Nigerian president of Igbo extraction 2023 project.

“My understanding of IPOB agitation is to end Igbo marginalisation; if that’s the case then our 2023 Nigeria President of Igbo extraction will be the end of the civil war. Nigerians are waiting for IPOB to change gear,” he said.

(NAN)