Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu has promised to diligently defend the cause of the Igbos following his installation as the new President-General of Ohaneze Ndigbo.

Mr Iwuanyanwu was on Sunday inaugurated as the leader of the apex Igbo body at an event held at the old Government Lodge in Enugu during the Imeobi meeting (inner caucus) of the group.

Mr Iwuanyanwu said he never nurtured the ambition to be the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, instead, he had the ambition of becoming the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“I contested for the Presidency on three occasions but I did not succeed. I took my losses in good composure knowing fully well that as a Christian, all powers and promotion come from God.

“But today, destiny has placed squarely on my shoulders the duty of leading the Igbos as the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide.

“I therefore have a duty to valiantly defend Igbo course and I promise Ime-Obi and all Igbo people that by the grace of God I will not fail them,” he promised.

The president-general used the occasion to appeal to President Muhammadu Buhari to release the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu from SSS prison.

Mr Iwuanyanwu said the security situation in the South-East was very disturbing, adding that there was a very urgent need for a Peace Summit in Igboland.

“I will therefore make a special appeal to Mr. President, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari GCFR to release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu before the expiration of his tenure on May 29.

“Kanu is very crucial for any key discussion and it is not possible to negotiate any peace while Nnamdi Kanu is in prison.

“It is also important to note that the judiciary has discharged and freed Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. It will be the joy of many Igbo people and Nigerians to see Mazi Nnamdi Kalu released from detention,” president-general said.

He added that there was a report that his health was deteriorating and, “I feel it is important that he is released to have access to his medical doctors so that he does not die in the prison”.

The inauguration was attended by Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu state, Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra state and other prominent Igbo leaders like Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, Enugu governor-elect Peterbah and former Imo State governor, Ikedi Ohakim.

Others were members of the National Assembly; Ministers; Adolphus Wabara; former President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Nnia Nwodo, amongst others.

The governor of Ebonyi, who is the Chairman, South-East Governor’s Forum, David Umahi, Imo governor Hope Uzodinma and his Abia counterpart Okezie Ikpeazu were absent at the meeting but were represented by their deputies.

(NAN)