Tony Okafor, Awka
Coalition of South-East Youth Leaders (COSEYL) has attributed the death of a former first republic aviation minister, Chief Mbazuluike Amechi, to President Muhammadu Buhari’s refusal to release the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.
The group stated this in a statement circulated to journalists on Tuesday by its President General, Goodluck Egwu Ibem, saying that it was alarmed over the sudden death of the foremost Igbo nationalist( Mbazuluike), adding ” his death is a loss too many, he will be greatly missed.”
The group’s statement read partly, ” His demise is not far from the fact that the Federal Government under President Muhammadu Buhari had promised Chief Mbazulike Amaechi that he will release his son and leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu from DSS custody if the court set him free, disobeyed the Court of Appeal judgement setting Nnamdi Kanu free which is totally against the promise made to him (Mbazulike) by President Buhari.
“He felt very betrayed that despite his age and standing that President Buhari and the Attorney General of the federation Mr Abubakar Malami will disrespect him in such a manner.
“The Great Nationalist died because after all the suffering and going to jail in order to get the independence of Nigeria from the British, President Buhari and the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federal cannot respect him by honouring a promise made to him at his age.
“Mbazulike died because the disobedience of the Court of Appeal judgement freeing Nnamdi Kanu by President Buhari is an insult on his person who left everything he was doing to meet Buhari in Abuja and Abakiliki to demand for the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. The insult caused his death.
“It is very unfortunate that the current leadership under Buhari has no respect for the rule of law and the promise they made with their own mouth. Too sad!.
“We commiserate with the entire Igbo nation and Nigeria over the great loss of such an upright nationalist who fought so hard during his youthful age to give us the freedom and democracy which we are enjoying today.
“His contribution towards the growth and development of Nigeria is greatly appreciated by all and sundry. He was selfless in all sense of the word. Indeed, we lost a rare gem.”
