By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) on Wednesday commiserated with the family of Chief Mbazulike Amaechi over the death of their patriarch, Nigeria’s oldest surviving independence activist and first Minister of Aviation.

The group in a condolence message by its Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, described the longest-living member of the Zikist Movement as an icon who stood solidly for the better life of all Biafrans.

The message read: “IPOB family worldwide and entire Biafrans mourn the loss of an icon who stood solidly for the better life of all Biafrans. IPOB will not forget the struggle and achievements of this Icon during the liberation struggle of Nigeria from the colonial masters.

“Again, IPOB worldwide will not forget the effort of our father towards the release of our great liberator Mazi Nnamdi Okwuchukwu KANU who was kidnapped from Kenya to Nigeria by the Federal Government. Inspite of his age and failing health, he led Igbo elders on a visit to Aso Rock, Abuja to plead with the Federal Government headed by President Muhammadu Buhari to release Mazi Nnamdi KANU as his last wish. But the President claimed that only Judiciary will decide MNK’s fate. Even after the same Court have discharged and acquitted Mazi Nnamdi KANU, same Buhari and his Fulani hegomony ignored the request of an old dying man and the Court verdict because of incurable hatred towards Ndigbo.

“Chief Dr. Amaechi Mbazuruike was the only living icon that fought for the independence of Nigeria in 1960 and remained strong until today God Almighty Chukwu Okike Abiama called him in his bossom.

“Buhari and his Fulani-controlled Federal Government must understand that Chief Mbazuruike is not happy with them even in death for ignoring his appeal for the release of Mazi Nnamdi KANU. The time chief Mbazuruike were pushing for the independence of this murderous nation Nigeria from Britain, Buhari was in primary school.

“We ask God Almighty Chukwu Okike Abiama to give the family of Chief Mbazuluike fortitude to bear the lost because Ndigbo has lost an iroko, an iroko they cannot see again and who stood by the truth always.

“We lost an icon who wished to see Biafra Nation in his life time.We mourn the great Iroko. We condole with entire Biafrans especially Ndigbo for this great loss.

“Papa jee nke oma. We are coming to part no more.”