South-East Leaders Urge Tinubu for Nnamdi Kanu’s Release

The recent decision by governors and National Assembly members from Nigeria’s South-East region to meet with President Bola Tinubu regarding the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the imprisoned leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has sparked a wide range of responses across the country.

Kanu is a polarizing figure, seen by some as a threat to national unity and by others as a champion for self-determination.

Many individuals and organizations have endorsed the initiative. Olisa Agbakoba, a former president of the Nigerian Bar Association, and groups like Ikoro Ndigbo and Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the premier Igbo socio-cultural organization, support the meeting as a step towards resolving the crisis through political means. However, not everyone agrees. Abdul-Azeez Suleiman, spokesperson for the Northern Elders Forum, argues that releasing Kanu would undermine the nation’s criminal justice system and encourage other separatist movements.

Critics have labeled the initiative as “belated,” contending that the urgency of the situation required earlier action. Prolonged detention of Kanu has deeply concerned many in the South-East. Political leaders, including former PDP presidential candidate Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and Labour Party’s Peter Obi, have long advocated for Kanu’s release.

In a meeting in Enugu, the South-East Governors’ Forum, chaired by Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, decided to approach President Tinubu for Kanu’s release. Subsequently, fifteen South-East senators, led by former Deputy Governor of Abia State Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, met with the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, to discuss a political resolution. They submitted a letter to the AGF seeking an out-of-court settlement for Kanu’s charges.

South-East representatives have also urged the President to consider Kanu’s release, emphasizing that an out-of-court settlement would restore peace to the region. This appeal has backing from legislators in Enugu, Imo, Abia, Anambra, and Ebonyi states. Previously, 50 House members from various regions and political parties had asked Tinubu to use constitutional provisions to free Kanu.

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Kanu, who was repatriated from Kenya, has been held by the Department of State Service (DSS) and pleaded not guilty to the charges against him. The Federal High Court in Abuja denied his bail application on March 19, 2024. To break the impasse, a meeting between President Tinubu, NASS members, and South-East governors is suggested.

Olisa Agbakoba praised the governors’ and federal lawmakers’ efforts, urging the President to consider a political solution. Ugochimereze Chinedu Asuzu, convener of Ikoro Ndigbo, also supported the initiative, highlighting the importance of development and peace in the South-East. Okechukwu Nwanguma, Executive Director of the Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC), emphasized the need for constructive engagement to address the region’s insecurity.

Comrade Igboayaka O Igboayaka, National President of the Ohanaeze Youth Council (OYC), linked Kanu’s prolonged detention to serious security and economic issues in the region. He strongly urged President Tinubu to instruct the AGF to drop all charges against Kanu, rejecting past attempts at blackmail and conspiracy against Kanu and IPOB.

Dr. Alex Ogbonnia, National Publicity Secretary of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, reiterated that Kanu’s release is long overdue and emphasized that his prolonged imprisonment exacerbates problems in the Southeast. He maintained that releasing Kanu would reduce economic disruption and insecurity caused by the ‘sit-at-home’ protests.

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Chief Goddy Uwazurike, president of Credibility Group, and Collins Ugwu, publicity secretary of Aka Ikenga, stressed the need for a political solution and the importance of ending Kanu’s detention for national security in the subregion.

Conversely, Abdul-Azeez Suleiman denounced calls for Kanu’s unconditional release, viewing it as a violation of the constitution and the rule of law.

Despite conflicting views, the coordinated efforts by South-East leaders to find a peaceful solution reflect the region’s desire for stability and growth. The situation remains complex, with strong opinions on both sides, but the push for Kanu’s release underscores the urgency of addressing the South-East’s concerns.