Forty-four members of Nigeria’s House of Representatives have appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to use his constitutional authority to release Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), from detention.
Gatekeepers News reports that representing both northern and southern constituencies under the collective banner of “Concerned Federal Lawmakers,” the group submitted a letter and resolution to the president requesting that he direct the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) to halt Kanu’s prosecution and open the door for a political settlement.
The lawmakers further urged Tinubu to organise a comprehensive national dialogue to tackle underlying political grievances and the persistent security challenges in the southeast.
In their letter, they cited domestic court rulings and international decisions that have questioned the legality of Kanu’s detention, arguing that ending the prosecution would facilitate national reconciliation and healing.
The letter reads, “Driven by the abiding and urgent need for national reconciliation and healing; and having noted the Federal Government’s open negotiations with militants and different agitating groups in different parts of Nigeria; and in view of the insecurity that has pervaded Southeast since late 2015 and which spiked since 2021; and in the realization of the many domestic court and international tribunal pronouncements in favor of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu; and in the face of the growing national groundswell supporting the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and for the discontinuance of his prosecution.”
“We, the within-named federal lawmakers, hereby respectfully and earnestly request our dear President, His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as follows: To, as soon as practicable, direct the Attorney-General of the Federation to exercise his constitutional powers and discontinue the prosecution of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu; and To, pursuant to the discontinuance of the prosecution, initiate a constructive dialogue, aimed at seeking a just political solution of the matter. We are grateful to you, our dear President, for Your Excellency’s prompt consideration of our request; and please be assured of our continuing respect for your high office.”
Signatories of the letter include Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, Obi Aguocha, Murphy Osaro, Peter Akpanke, Mudshiru Lukman, Paul Nnamechi, Sunday Cyriacus, Obed Shehu, Dominic Ugwu Emmanuel, Daniel Asama Ago, Chike John Okafor, Adam Ogene Ogbaru, Emeka Martin Chinedu, Chimaobi Sam, Alex Mascot Ikwechegh, Donatus Matthew, Ibe Osonwa, and Okey-Joe Onuakalusi.
Others are Thaddeus Atta, Udema H. Okonkwo, Cyril Godwin, Chinwe Nnabuike, Kana Nkemkama, Peter Aniekwe, Gwachem Maureen Onwunka, Anayo Onwuegbu, Nwobosi Joseph, Amobi Godwin, Blessing Amadi, Anthony Adebayo Adepoju, Joshua Audu Gana, Chris Nkwonta, Emeka Idu, Peter Iteanyi Uzokwe, Matthew Nwogu, Tochukwu Okere, Benedict Etanabene, Godwin Offiono, Ngozi Okolie, and Nnamdi Ezechi.
