— Says serious push would have secured his freedom
— Insists denying Ikweres’ Igbo identity is mischievous
By Steve Oko
UMUAHIA — Niger Delta freedom fighter and rights activist, Gabriel Asabuja, popularly known as “Gen Asabuja”, has accused Igbo political leaders of failing to mount sufficient pressure for the release of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
Asabuja said the failure of South-East political leaders to unite and demand Kanu’s release had contributed to his continued detention.
Speaking with newsmen on the sidelines of the World Igbo Day celebration in Umuahia on Monday night, he said: “If they are serious about his freedom, he will not be there till today.”
According to him, some South-East politicians were more concerned about protecting their political interests than advocating Kanu’s release.
“Our brothers in power are the reason they are still holding him. Look at what some governors and senators are saying about him. If they are serious about his freedom, he will not be there till today,” he said.
“When they are scared about him, how do you think they will ask for his release? If the political class can come together and put pressure on the Federal Government, Kanu will regain his freedom.”
Asabuja, who declared his support for Kanu, said: “I’m a strong supporter of Nnamdi Kanu and till tomorrow, I’m not going back. Kanu is my brother and I won’t deny him.”
He also called for greater unity among Ndigbo, arguing that political divisions and personal interests had weakened the region’s ability to pursue its collective interests.
The activist further described as “mischievous” any attempt to deny the Igbo identity of the Ikwerre people of Rivers State, insisting that the Ikwerre are Igbo.
“I’m here because of the Igbo Day Celebration. I’m here because I’m Igbo. I don’t need any invitation because Igbo blood is running in me.
“I can’t deny my Igbo identity. Ikwerre is Igbo. Don’t mind anybody saying anything to the contrary. That’s the problem we have. These people want to scatter us. They don’t want us to remain one because they know that when we come together as one, nobody will stand before us,” he said.
Asabuja alleged that some politicians were influenced by personal and material interests.
“And our people who are politicians follow them because of contracts, appointments and, for some, ‘Ghana Must Go’ bags,” he alleged.
He also lamented what he described as the inability of some communities in the South-East to adequately secure their environment, calling on Ndigbo to unite and pursue their collective interests.
“The message now is that Igbo should wake up. Let’s unite together. We should unite and go for our rights,” he said.
On the World Igbo Day celebration, Asabuja described the turnout as “wonderful” and urged the organisers to hold similar gatherings at least twice a year.
He also commended the administration of Governor Alex Otti, particularly its efforts in security and infrastructure.
Asabuja said he had moved around Umuahia and was impressed by the transformation he observed in the state capital.
He added that, in his view, Abia would have recorded greater development if previous administrations had invested at the same level in infrastructure and other sectors.
Earlier in his address at the celebration, the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Senator John Azuta-Mbata, said the Ikwerre people of Rivers State were “no less Igbo” than Igbo people in other parts of Nigeria.
Azuta-Mbata, who is himself an Ikwerre, said the Igbo identity of the Ikwerre had never been in doubt.
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