…By Dorcas Funmi for TDPel Media.
Former Senate President Anyim Pius and ex-PDP National Publicity Secretary Olisa Metuh recently paid a visit to President Bola Tinubu at Aso Rock Presidential Villa.
While the official reason stated was to congratulate the President on his inauguration and discuss his achievements, sources from the presidency claim a different motive behind the visit.
Seeking Freedom for Prominent Igbo Figures
According to insiders, Anyim and Metuh met with Tinubu to explore possibilities for securing the release of two incarcerated Igbo individuals.
They aimed to discuss the cases of former Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu, who was convicted in the UK for an organ harvesting plot, and Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
Ekweremadu’s Complex Case
Sources revealed that Anyim and Metuh understand the complexity of Ekweremadu’s situation, as he is currently serving a jail sentence in the United Kingdom.
However, they sought Tinubu’s support and commitment to their cause, hoping that his influence as Nigeria’s leader could assist in securing freedom for the former lawmaker.
The Imprisonment of Ekweremadu and Kanu
In May, Ike Ekweremadu was sentenced to nine years and eight months in the UK for his involvement in an organ trafficking plot.
His wife, Beatrice, received a four-year and six-month sentence.
Meanwhile, Nnamdi Kanu has been held in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) in Abuja since his repatriation to Nigeria from Kenya in June 2021.
Political History and Critics of APC
It is worth noting that both Metuh and Anyim were critics of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) leading up to the 2015 elections.
Conclusion:
The reported purpose behind Anyim Pius and Olisa Metuh’s visit to President Bola Tinubu involved seeking support for the release of Ike Ekweremadu, imprisoned in the UK for an organ harvesting plot, and Nnamdi Kanu, the detained IPOB leader.
While their stated intention was to congratulate the President, sources suggest their primary focus was on discussing strategies to secure freedom for the incarcerated Igbo figures.