…Akpabio: Senators’ll attend burial, despite threats.
A former governor of Imo State, Senator Rochas Anayo Ethelbert Okorocha has made a passionate appeal to the Federal Government of Nigeria to release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, saying such was the wish of the late Ohanaeze Ndigbo President General, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu.
Senator Okorocha who made the appeal at the Night of Tributes organized in honour of late Anambra-born Senator Ifeanyi Uba in Abuja on Monday, noted that the release of the detained IPOB leader has potentials to return peace to the Southeast zone.
Okorocha further said peace was necessary for the re-building of the South-East.
The ex-Senator for Orlu Zone further hinted that releasing Kanu would be an honour for late Senator Ubah.
He appealed to the President of the senate, Godswill Akpabio and other relevant individuals to request for the release of Kanu so that the Igbo could go home.
Okorocha also called on Ndigbo to embrace peace which he said, the late Senator Ubah stood for.
He observed that “Ifeanyi Ubah visited Nnamdi Kanu several times at DSS detention and made several appeals on his release.”
Meanwhile the President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio has said that inspite of the threats from some quarters, senators are prepared to attend the burial of their late colleague, Ifeanyi Ubah at Nnewi in Anambra State.
The Senate president stated this during the Night of Tributes organised in honour of Senator Uba in Abuja, which had political heavyweights in attendance.
Akpabio acknowledged that Senator Ubah was committed to the wellbeing of his people at any given time, adding that he was also an advocate of the good of Ndigbo.
On the call for the release of IPOB leader, Kanu, Akpabio promised to convey the message to the Federal Government and get back to Ndigbo .
Akpabio also said Ubah had developed a relationship with the Senate that will continue to make them friends forever with the family.
He explained that the 10th Senate passed the South-East Development Commission bill in honour of Ubah’s unending calls for better Igboland.
“Despite the threats, senators are prepared to honour Ubah during his interment in Nnewi.
“Ifeanyi Ubah felt he was representing the marginalized people of Ndigbo.
“The Senate passed the South-East Development Commission bill. And this is something we feel should have been done years back to take care of the destruction and the effects of the Civil war on the people. I can tell you that the Igbo people are self-made. The people are very proud. The people are very independent,” Akpabio stated.
Former President Goodluck Jonathan poured eulogies on the late Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, describing him as a man of honour, who played his role well and left when the ovation was loud.
The former president said Uba “was a community builder, he supported small businesses and market women.
” He founded the Authority Newspaper even though he was not a journalist. Ifeanyi Ubah was my friend, rest in peace”.
