Embrace political solution, release Nnamdi Kanu, lawmakers urge Tinubu

A group of 44 members of the House of Representatives, drawn from both northern and southern parts of the country, on Tuesday, appealed to President Bola Tinubu to adopt a political solution to the prolonged detention of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Mr Nnamdi Kanu.

Operating under the aegis of the Concerned Federal Lawmakers for National Unity, the group transmitted a two-page letter and formal resolution to the President, urging him to exercise his constitutional powers to end Kanu’s prosecution and pave the way for a comprehensive national dialogue aimed at restoring peace in the South-East.

They argued that sustained political engagement, rather than continued judicial confrontation, offers the most viable path to addressing growing insecurity and longstanding regional grievances. They specifically requested that the President direct the Attorney-General of the Federation to discontinue the Federal Government’s case against Kanu.

The letter was signed by Ikenga Ugochinyere, Obi Aguocha, Murphy Osaro, Peter Akpanke, and Mudashiru Lukman.

Others are Paul Nnamechi, Dominic Okafor and Afam Ogene, among others.

Other signatories included Emeka Chinedu, Chimaobi Sam, Mascot Ikwechegh, Donatus Matthew, Ibe Osonwa, and Okey-Joe Onuakalusi.

In their letter, the lawmakers stated:

“Dear Mr President, following a strategic closed-door meeting involving lawmakers committed to strengthening national peace and stability, and after broad consultations across political divides and ethnic backgrounds, we jointly present this resolution on the continued detention of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

“Motivated by the urgent need for national healing and reconciliation, and mindful of previous government negotiations with militants and various agitator groups, as well as the escalating insecurity in the South-East since 2015—worsening from 2021—we believe the time is ripe for a decisive political approach.

ADVERTISEMENT

“We also take into account various domestic court rulings and international tribunal decisions that have called for Kanu’s release.

“In light of the growing nationwide support for halting his prosecution, we respectfully urge Your Excellency to direct the Attorney-General of the Federation to discontinue the case against him and initiate an inclusive political dialogue that can deliver a fair and lasting resolution.”

The lawmakers expressed confidence that President Tinubu would give their request due attention and reaffirmed their support for his administration’s efforts to strengthen unity and stability across the country.

Nnamdi Kanu was first arrested in October 2015 on charges including treasonable felony. His arrest triggered widespread protests across the South-East and parts of the South-South.

He was granted bail in April 2017 but later left the country after a military operation in Abia State, an event IPOB claims was an attempt on his life.

He resurfaced abroad and continued to broadcast messages calling for a Biafran referendum.

“In June 2021, he was intercepted in Kenya under controversial circumstances and extradited to Nigeria to face fresh charges. His re-arrest intensified agitation in the South-East, where weekly sit-at-home orders and violent attacks were linked by authorities to separatist elements.

In 2022, the Court of Appeal discharged him of all charges and ruled that his rendition from Kenya was unlawful, but the Federal Government declined to release him, citing pending appeals and national security concerns.

International bodies and several Nigerian courts have since issued opinions or rulings questioning the legality of his continued detention.

This prolonged standoff has been widely viewed as a key driver of tensions and instability in the region—prompting renewed calls, such as those from the 44 lawmakers, for a political resolution rather than a strictly legal one.