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A coalition of 44 members of Nigeria’s House of Representatives has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to authorize the release of detained IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu.
The lawmakers, drawn from various geopolitical zones and political parties, jointly addressed a two-page letter to the President, calling for a political solution to the long-running matter.
They argued that freeing Kanu would help de-escalate tensions in the South-East and contribute to wider national reconciliation efforts.
In their correspondence, the group, which identify themselves as “Concerned Federal Lawmakers” urged President Tinubu to activate the constitutional powers of his office by directing the Attorney-General of the Federation to discontinue the court case against Kanu.
They also recommended the convening of a broad national dialogue involving stakeholders from across the country to address the issues that have fueled agitations.
The lawmakers noted that the Federal Government had, in the past, entered negotiations with several armed groups and agitators across the country, insisting that a similar approach was necessary in the South-East.
They referenced multiple domestic court rulings and international tribunal pronouncements which, according to them, favour Kanu’s release.
Part of the letter stated that the appeal was driven by “an urgent need for national healing,” adding that the security situation in the South-East has deteriorated significantly since 2015, with renewed spikes in violence since 2021.
The signatories included Hon. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, Hon. Obi Aguocha, Hon. Murphy Osaro, Hon. Peter Akpanke, Hon. Mudashiru Lukman, Hon. Paul Nnamechi, Hon. Sunday Cyriacus, Hon. Obed Shehu, Hon. Dominic, Hon. Ugwu Emmanuel, Hon. Daniel Asama Ago, Hon. Chike Okafor, and many others across party divides.
The lawmakers emphasized that discontinuing the prosecution and opening a constructive dialogue remain the most viable steps toward achieving lasting peace.
Addressing the President directly, they wrote: “We respectfully request that Your Excellency directs the Attorney-General to, as soon as possible, halt the prosecution of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, and initiate a political engagement aimed at resolving the matter in the interest of national unity.”
They expressed confidence that President Tinubu would give their request due consideration and reaffirmed their respect for his office.
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