In an effort to stem the tide of wanton killings and worsening security situation in the southeast perpetrated by unscrupulous, self-styled militia groups who have clearly staged war against the Nigerian State and have blamed their actions on the continued detention of Nnamdi Kanu by the federal government of Nigeria, erstwhile National Publicity Secretary of the defunct New People’s Democratic Party (nPDP) and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress, Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze has joined the roll of Nigerian patriots calling on President Mohammadu Buhari to consider the release of the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), as a step towards restoring calm in the trouble region.

Responding to threats from some quarters that the 2023 elections which is just a few days from now would not hold in the southeast region, Chief Eze in a statement made available to media houses in Abuja stated that the need for the President to heed the call for the release of Mazi Kanu has become even more important for the safety and security of the people and for a peaceful conduct of the elections in the southeast.

As a concerned Nigerian from the South East, Eze said although he had all his children in the North and played most of his practical politics both in the North and South South, it is imperative that he adds his voice to the call for an end to the troubling situation of things in the South East.

As a stakeholder in the politics of the All Progressives Congress been the National Publicity Secretary of the defunct New Peoples Democratic (nPDP) who joined other progressives in the formation of APC, the party Chief said he has too much admiration for President Muhammadu Buhari but added that the President must make effort to free himself from those who take joy in the current insecurity ravaging the South East region where communities are destroyed, police stations set ablaze, security agents killed and the people sacked from their homes; and consider the plea for an end to the bloodbath in the region to justify his status as Hero of not only the Igbos but the entire Africa.

Eze said he is pained that for a long time now the economy of the Igbos have been on a halt due to the Monday Sit At Home yet nobody is interested in finding a solution to the plight of the Ndi Igbo.

The consequences of the militarization of the zone have not been a good one as the people continue to groan and count their losses.

In seeking for solution to this issue, Governor David Nweze UMAHI the Chairman of South East Governors Forum once led Key political Stakeholders, Traditional Rulers, Business moguls and elders from the South East on a visit to Aso Rock to table before Mr. President the insecurity and plights of the Ndi Igbo and the way out.

Governor Umahi was not relenting in finding a way out, he assembled who is who in Igbo Land to host Mr. President during his visit to Ebonyi to commission some legacy projects. In this epochal occasion, Late Chief Mbazilike Amaechi, an elder statesman, First Republic parliamentarian and Minister of Aviation made his famous demand, “My dear Mr. President don’t allow me to die without Peace being returned to Nigeria particularly South East by the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu

Apart from the above, Eze recalled that in November 2021, Amaechi led other eminent Igbo leaders to Buhari, during which he requested Kanu’s release as a political solution to the unrest in the South-East zone and responding, Buhari told the delegation that the request was a tough one, but owing to the age of Amaechi, the leader of the delegation, he would consider it.

President Muhammadu Buhari acknowledged this during his condolence letter to Nigerians on the demise of this sage when he described him as a great patriot who believed deeply in a united Nigeria, and continued to work for its progress, undeterred by his age and personal circumstances.

President Buhari recalled very fond memories of his recent meetings with the respected Nationalist, in November 2021 in Abuja and May 2022 in Abakiliki, Ebonyi State, and these words of his on November 19, still resonate:

”I don’t want to leave this planet without peace returning to my country. I believe in one big, united Nigeria, a force in Africa. Mr President, I want you to be remembered as a person who saw Nigeria burning, and you quenched the fire.”

Extolling the frankness, wisdom, honesty and advice of Amaechi on the situation in the South Eastern part of the country and the way forward, the President affirmed that the nonagenarian will also be remembered for his warmth, values and devotion to the service of the nation.

Eze, a member of APC Legacy Projects Media Team appealed that even though his counsel maybe ignored, the plea of this great Nigerian should be respected to stop further insecurity in the troubled region particularly now that Prof. Charles Soludo, the Governor of Anambra State has requested to take custody of Nnamdi Kanu if he can be released to him.

The release of Mr. Kanu will present President Buhari the opportunity to rewrite history. And the best tribute the President can offer to the late elder statesman is the Presidential pardon and release of Nnamdi Kanu from custody as requested, and definitely, Kanu will honour every agreement proffered by Mbazulike Amaechi for the peace of the southeast region.

As one of those who risked his life to ensure the acceptance and election of Buhari to fly the flag of APC and his subsequent election as the president of Nigeria in 2015, Eze appealed to Mr. President not allow this great opportunity to revalidate his status as the Hero of Ndi Igbo to slip away from him, Eze concluded.