NNAMDI KANU: How We Brokered Meeting With Buhari – Ngige

THE Minister of Labour and Employment, Senator Chris Ngige, yesterday, disclosed how Friday’s meeting of President Muhammadu Buhari with Igbo leaders and serving ministers was brokered.

An Igbo delegation led by First Republic Minister of Aviation, Chief Mbazulike Amechi met with President Buhari, on Friday where the president promised to consider their demand for the release of Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, even though the demand was heavy and has implications for the separation of power.

His words: “When Honourable Mbazulike initiated it and consulted me, we agreed that it is a worthwhile journey. Mbazulike was one of the three old wise men that worked with me when I was governor in Anambra State. When he came up with this request I decided also that it was a step in a right direction.

“He said that it is what will give him the last joy before he departs from this planet. So, I am happy to be involved in it. The President also said that being an old man of 93 years this request is very heavy even though it has some implications.

“I acted as a facilitator, he copied me the letter to Mr. President and called me on phone when he had not gotten any reply. With my own copy I met Mr. President.

“One of the things mentioned by Mbazulike Amechi is the heavy presence of security on South-East roads. The place is swamped with too much security men. It is not that we are against security men being there because there were a lot of killing by known and unknown gunmen, but we said that the security down there should be professional in the discharge of their functions just as they were during the elections.”

Other matters discussed

“The other matters discussed were to thank him (Buhari) for the Second Niger Bridge and the construction work going in Enugu-Okigwe-Umuahia and completion of Zik’s Mansoleum because Mbazulike Amcchi is a Zikist and he was former national chairman of the Zikist Movement and he has to thank him (Buhari) on the completion of rehabilitation of Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu.

“He also requested that he (Buhari) should treat Igbo fairly in equitable and justifiable way. That he and other Igbo want to remain in Nigeria but it will be a Nigeria that is equitable, fair and justiciable to the Igbo so that they don’t feel marginalized.

“He said that it is the quest for peace that brought him out in his old age when he cannot even walk well and with even the burial of the wife just last week, that he is still in mourning period but he decided to come because this is more than an emergency, that the search for peace has no barrier.

“In addition, it was to thank (Buhari) for the security and peaceful election in Anambra state.”

How delegation was chosen

On the choice of members of the delegation, he said Mbazulike insisted that members of the entourage must be non-active politicians.

“That was the guiding yardstick. Only two persons could not make it, General Ike Nwachukwu, retd., and the Obi of Onitsha because of some other appointments they had,” he explained.

Asked his advice to the Igbo, Ngige said: “The President doesn’t hate them (Ndigbo) and as he has reached to their leaders, he will act, how he will act I don’t know now but there are so many constitutional provisions in which the President can exercise his powers.

How Buhari can free Kanu

“President Buhari can use the prerogative of mercy, he can use pardon, he can use nolli prosequi, he can use withdrawal of charges. He knows what is the best for the country and for our Igbo Nation because our place is in turmoil. The South-East is in turmoil economically, politically and security wise.”

On whether he believes that President Buhari would facilitate the release of the IPOB leader, the Minister said: “The President I know has never said publicly to any delegation, ‘I will consider your request, it’s heavy but I will consider it’ in the last six years that I was with him in government. I am optimistic he will do something.”