Abia rep in heated exchange with Abbas for ‘ignoring’ letter on Nnamdi Kanu’s health

Obi Aguocha, a member of the house of representatives from Abia, and Tajudeen Abbas, the speaker, engaged in a heated confrontation that lasted more than seven minutes at plenary.

During Tuesday’s sitting, Aguocha, who represents Ikwuano/Umuahia north/Umuahia south federal constituency of Abia, raised a point of privilege, stating that a letter he submitted on August 26 to the Abbas, Lateef Fagbemi, attorney-general of the federation, and President Bola Tinubu regarding Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB)’s, worsening health condition has yet to receive any response.

“The Nigerian Medical Association has conducted a second evaluation, and the results even further confirm the deteriorating health of Nnamdi Kanu, that he has organ deficiencies, low potassium, and that he is, as we speak, on the verge of death,” he said.

“Mr speaker, this is not politics or any other thing, but it is a fundamental human right that should be ascribed to Nnamdi Kanu.

“Most other people in that gap have been given opportunities to even travel overseas to seek medical attention.

“Nnamdi Kanu is neither convicted of any crimes in Nigeria and must be protected under the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“So, Mr speaker, a lot of progress has been made in order to see that the government does the right thing to be able to afford Nnamdi Kanu the urgent treatment that he needs. It’s significant, Mr speaker.”

The debate quickly turned tense as the speaker questioned Aguocha’s use of “point of privilege” to demand action.

“If it is something specific to the office of the speaker, honourable, I find it a little intriguing that you come by way of privilege to demand action,” Abbas said, noting that Aguocha had direct access to his office.

Aguocha said he had visited the speaker’s office, arguing that his motion was a “matter of life and death”.

But Abbas insisted that the floor of the house was not the right place for such follow-up and advised Aguocha to meet him directly, reiterating that he had no obligation to disclose what had been done about the letter.

Aguocha maintained that the house rules entitled him to raise matters of privilege and pressed the chamber to treat Kanu’s worsening health as urgent.

The exchange ended with Abbas ruling Aguocha out of order.

The IPOB leader has been in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) since he was extradited from Kenya in June 2021. He is currently facing terrorism charges.

There have been growing calls for Kanu’s release, particularly from stakeholders in the south-east. Kanu’s lawyers also claim that his health is deteriorating daily.

The court has declined several requests to allow Kanu leave the DSS custody for medical treatment.