𝐎𝐤𝐨𝐫𝐨𝐜𝐡𝐚 𝐮𝐫𝐠𝐞𝐬 Nigerian govt 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐍𝐧𝐚𝐦𝐝𝐢 𝐊𝐚𝐧𝐮 𝐢𝐧 𝐡𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐈𝐟𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐲𝐢 𝐔𝐛𝐚𝐡

Former Imo State Governor, Senator Rochas Okorocha, has called on the Federal Government to release Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), as a way of honoring the late Senator Ifeanyi Ubah.

Okorocha made this appeal during a night of tribute held in Ubah’s honor on Monday at the Nigerian Air Force Conference & Suites in Abuja.

In his tribute, Okorocha referenced Ubah’s plea to the government, aligning it with a similar request made by the late President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu. He urged Senate President Godswill Akpabio to relay this message to the federal authorities.

“Before the death of Iwuanyanwu, he made a plea to the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Ifeanyi Ubah made a statement in the same line,” Okorocha said. “The best way to honour these great young men is the release of Nnamdi Kanu so that the Igbos can go home and reunite their place.”

Okorocha also emphasized the need for unity among the Igbo people, urging them to set aside political differences and embrace peace. Reflecting on the legacies of late Igbo leaders, he said, “I’ve not died before, and I don’t intend to die soon, but I do know that the Ikemba Ojukwus, the Ekwuemes, and these great leaders of note who have left us… are having a meeting somewhere. Their meeting is about Ndi Igbo.”

He added that these leaders in the afterlife would question why the Igbos engage in “politics of hate” and implored the living to learn from the reconciliations of past leaders such as Ojukwu and Ekwueme.

The event was attended by several prominent figures, including former President Goodluck Jonathan, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, former Senate Presidents Anyim Pius Anyim and Bukola Saraki, among others.

Late Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, who represented Anambra South Senatorial District, passed away in London in July 2024 at the age of 52. He would have turned 53 on September 3, 2024.

The businessman-turned-politician is set to be laid to rest on Friday, November 22, 2024.