Okorocha begs for Nnamdi Kanu’s release, urges Akpabio to prevail on Tinubu
Former Governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha, has asked Senate President Godswill Akpabio to prevail on President Bola Tinubu to release IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu.
Okorocha, also a former senator who represented Imo West District between 2019 and 2023, spoke during a night of tribute held in honour of the deceased Nigerian senator, Ifeanyi Ubah.
According to Okorocha, while addressing Akpabio who attended the deceased senator’s tribute, said the greatest honour Tinubu could do to Ubah was to release Kanu, who is facing terrorism charges.
The IPOB leader has been in detention since he was brought back to Nigeria from Kenya in June 2021 under controversial circumstances.
Okorocha recalled how Mr Ubah and other Igbo leaders appealed to the Nigerian government to release the IPOB leader but were ignored.
“Before the death of (Emmanuel) Iwuanyanwu, he (Iwuanyanwu) made a plea to the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Ezeife went to Aso Villa and begged the Nigerian nation. Ifeanyi Ubah made a statement in the same line,” Okorocha said, referring to the appeals by Igbo leaders for Kanu’s release.
“I want to say to you, my brother, Senate President, convey this message (to President Tinubu) on behalf of these Igbos who are seated that the best way to honour this great young man (Ifeanyi Ubah) is the release of Nnamdi Kanu so that the Igbos can go home and reorganise their place.
“And I know you, Senator Akpabio, that even if you don’t want to send this message, for the sake of your wife, who is our daughter, send this message and get us a result or else your wife is not too far from being taken back home,” he said.
When he climbed the rostrum to deliver his tribute, Akpabio was quick in responding Okorocha.
“I don’t take this threat lightly. When Rochas said if I didn’t deliver the message to the federal government that the Igbos would come for my wife, I got scared because all the strength I have is because of the prayers of my wife,” he said.
“So, I want to plead with you, Rochas, that I will come to your house, personally, to inform you after I have delivered the message to the federal government,” Mr Akpabio said.
