Pa Mbazulike Amechi’s unfulfilled dream; how Buhari failed him

BY KAZIE UKO

Elder statesman, Pa Mbazulike Amechi, who passed on Tuesday, at the age of 94, may have died with lots of unfulfilled dreams.

One of the dreams, which he desired and spoke about, to see come to fruition, was the release of the leader of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, from detention by the Federal Government.

In fact, Pa Amechi, Nigeria’s first Minister of Aviation, had led a group of Igbo leaders to beg President Muhammadu Buhari, last year November to intervene on the issue of Kanu with a view to letting him out of the DSS gulag, where he is currently being detained.

He pleaded for a political, rather than military solution, requesting that if Kanu was released to him as a mark of honour, being the only First Republic minister still alive, “he (Kanu) would no longer say the things he had been saying,” stressing that he could control him, “not because I have anything to do with them (IPOB), but I am highly respected in Igbo land today.”

READ: JUST IN: I will consider request for Kanu’s release – Buhari

Amechi had told Buhari that if there was one thing he desired, it was living the world knowing that Nigeria was a peaceful country and President Buhari being the architect.

He said: “I don’t want to leave this planet without peace returning to my country. I believe in one big, united Nigeria, a force in Africa. Mr President, I want you to be remembered as a person who saw Nigeria burning, and you quenched the fire.”

President Buhari listened and raised the hope of the elder statesman, promising to consider his request, even though, according to the president, Pa Amechi’s request was a very difficult one.

Said the president: “You’ve made an extremely difficult demand on me as leader of this country. The implication of your request is very serious. In the last six years, since I became President, nobody would say I have confronted or interfered in the work of the Judiciary. God has spared you, and given you a clear head at this age, with very sharp memory. A lot of people half your age, are confused already. But the demand you made is heavy. I will consider it.”

Almost one year after that visit, President Buhari has not given any indication that he is willing to grant the old man’s request, instead he has publicly declared that the fate of the secessionist leader lies in the hands of the judiciary.

READ: Touching images of Igbo leaders visit to Buhari

Notwithstanding, the Federal Government has continued to exhibit reluctance in adhering to the judgments of the courts, the latest being an Appeal Court order quashing the remaining charges bordering on treason, against Kanu and discharging him of culpability.

In a statement, Ezeana Tagbo Amaechi, on behalf of the family said Pa Amechi, a prominent member of the Zikist Movement, died in the early hours of Tuesday, November 1, 2022.

Amechi hailed from Amihe village in Ukpor, Nnewi South Local Government Area of Anambra State. He was a nationalist and one of the very few surviving members of the Zikist Movement led by first President of Nigeria, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe.

He was also a member of the Anambra Elders Forum, the highest State Advisory body that has Chief Emeka Anyaoku as the Chairman.

“We thank God for the fulfilled life that he lived, the lives that he touched and his service to God and Country. We respectfully ask that you keep us in your thoughts and prayers at this time,” the statement read in part.