Kanu is presently in prison facing trial for treason.
Rising from a meeting in Akure, the Ondo State capital, over the weekend, the monarchs said, “the activist was fighting for a just cause and should be allowed his freedom in the interest of peace not only in the Southeast geo-political zone but in other parts of the country.”
They made this statement during the installation of Igwe Gregory Iloehika as the President-General of the Association of Ndieze Worldwide, which is the association of traditional rulers of Igbo extraction outside the zone, along with the National Chairman of the Mbido Igbo Association, Inter-Agency Committee, Chief Okafougun Ugochukwu.
The national chairman, Ugochukwu, said Kanu needs freedom as his continuous detention is unacceptable to the zone.
According to him, Kanu is being incarcerated “just because he voiced out that his people in the country are being marginalized.”
Speaking on the installation of Igwe Iloehika as the National President of traditional rulers of Igbo extraction outside the Southeast zone, Ugochukwu said the essence of traditional rulers outside their zone was for their children to know about the culture of the people.
Ugochukwu noted that the Igbo are domiciled in all parts of the world and urged the new leader to use his good offices to ensure that parents teach their wards the Igbo culture, preserve it, and showcase it to the world.
Igwe Iloehika was the Vice President of the Association of Ndieze Worldwide, and his emergence was consequent upon the expiration of the previous administration.
Ugochukwu said the democratic credentials of his people showed up in the successful election of the new head of the apex Igbo socio-cultural organization.
Iloehika and other elected officers will pilot the affairs of the association for the next four years.
Speaking at the meeting, the Special Adviser to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa on Igbo matters, Mr. Belonwu Francis, said that in Nigeria, the resourcefulness of the Igbo is measured by the commanding heights they maintain in business across various parts of Nigeria.
Belonwu noted that Iloehika would use his new position to ensure they keep enjoying these benefits.
He appreciated the state governor for the peaceful co-existence between the Igbo and the Yoruba, which has allowed their businesses to thrive.
The women leader of the association, Mrs. Nze Amaka, in her comments, said the gathering, which brought leaders from the Southeast, is contrary to insinuations in some quarters that there is a faction in the body.
Amaka expressed confidence that the monarch, with his wealth of experience, will steer the association to safety.
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