Forty-four members of the house of representatives have asked President Bola Tinubu to invoke his constitutional powers to release Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), from detention.
The lawmakers, drawn from both northern and southern parts of the country under the aegis of “Concerned federal lawmakers”, made the appeal in a letter and resolution addressed to the president.
They urged Tinubu to direct the attorney-general of the federation (AGF) to, “as soon as practicable”, discontinue Kanu’s prosecution and open the door for a political settlement.
The group also asked the president to convene an all-inclusive national dialogue to address underlying political grievances and ongoing security challenges, particularly in the southeast.
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Citing domestic court rulings and international decisions that have questioned Kanu’s continued detention, the lawmakers said ending the prosecution would pave the way for “national reconciliation and healing”.
“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,” the letter reads.
“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.”
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The lawmakers who signed 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, Okey-Joe Onuakalusi, Thaddeus Atta, Udema H. Okonkwo and Cyril Godwin.
Others are 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 Ifeanyi Uzokwe, Matthew Nwogu, Tochukwu Okere, Benedict Etanabene, Godwin Offiono, Ngozi Okolie and Nnamdi Ezechi.
