Freeing Kanu: Mbazulike dies trying

Nigeria’s First Republic Parliamentarian and one-time Minister of Aviation, Chief Mbazulike Amaechi, has died. Sadly, the elder statesman died trying desperately to free detained leader of the pro-secession group, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, placed in prison custody since extradition from Kenya by the Nigerian Government over charges of terrorism, treason among others.

Amaechi failed trying to secure an unconditional release for Kanu from President Muhammadu Buhari, and also was alive to see Appeal Court initially rule to dismiss the preferred charges against Kanu, and days later overturned its earlier ruling on the matter.

Amaechi further was alive to hear President Buhari assure that the judiciary in the country will be free to decide on Kanu matter as he (Buhari) promised to steer clear of the legal processes. But Amaechi was alive to see the Nigerian government stall on obeying the initial ruling of the appellant court which had freed the activist.

Chief Amaecih died at the age of 93, barely a year after losing his wife.

A statement from the family and signed by Ezeana Tagbo Amechi, said Chief Amechi, died in the early hours of Tuesday, November 1, 2022.

Chief Amechi who hailed from Amihe village in Ukpor, Nnewi South Local Government Area of Anambra State, was a Nationalist and the only surviving member of the Zikist Movement.

“With total deference to the will of the Almighty God, the Ume Amechi, Ezeana Ihinede families and the Umu Mmara kindred of Amihe Ukpor in Nnewi South Local Government Area of Anambra State announce the peaceful transition of our illustrious son, father and grandfather, Chief Mbazulike Amechi (Dara Akunwafor), Nationalist and First Republic Minister of Aviation of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, who transitioned peacefully in the early hours of today November 1, 2022.

“We thank God for the fulfilled life that he lived, the lives that he touched and his service to God and Country. We respectfully ask that you keep us in your thoughts and prayers at this time,” the family statement read,

It would be recalled that Chief Mbazulike Amaechi at the frail age of 93 had last November, 2021, while still mourning his wife, dragged himself out of his country home in Anambra State, and offered to lead a high-powered delegation of prominent Igbo dignitaries to the State House in Abuja to meet President Buhari over the continued detention and trial of the IPOB leader, Kanu, as they proposed unconditional release of the activist before the Nigerian leader.

Buhari had told Amaechi and his group that their demand ‘runs contrary to the doctrine of separation of powers between the Executive and Judiciary.’

According to Buhari, in his tenure as president in six years, ‘nobody would say I have confronted or interfered in the work of the Judiciary.’

He, however, promised to consider the offer of unconditionally freeing the activist.

“You’ve made an extremely difficult demand on me as leader of this country. The implication of your request is very serious. In the last six years, since I became President, nobody would say I have confronted or interfered in the work of the Judiciary. God has spared you, and given you a clear head at this age, with very sharp memory. A lot of people half your age are confused already. But the demand you made is heavy. I will consider it.

“When Kanu jumped bail, got arrested and brought back to the country, I said the best thing was to subject him to the system. Let him make his case in court, instead of giving very negative impressions of the country from outside. I feel it’s even a favour to give him that opportunity.”

Remarking earlier, Chief Amaechi had pleaded with Buhari to consider the gesture of unconditionally freeing Kanu.

“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,” he said.

Amaechi further pleaded for a political, rather than military solution to the resolution to the secessionist agitations erupting across the country, assuring that that if Kanu was released to him as the only First Republic Minister still alive, “he would no longer say the things he had been saying.”

According to him, he could control him (Kanu), “not because I have anything to do with them (IPOB), but I am highly respected in Igbo land today.”

Decrying the deplorable security situation in South East, the nonagenarian described it as ‘painful and pathetic,’ lamenting further that ‘businesses have collapsed, education is crumbling, and there is fear everywhere.’

According to Chief Amaechi, he had twice interfaced with Nnamdi Kanu in the past, and the latter rescinded orders earlier given on civil disobedience.

Others in Chief Amaechi’s delegation included; Chief Chukwuemeka Ezeife, former Governor of Anambra State, Bishop Sunday Onuoha of the Methodist Church, Chief Barrister Goddy Uwazurike, former President of Igbo socio-cultural group, Aka Ikenga, and Mr Tagbo Mbazulike Amaechi.