44 Federal Lawmakers Ask Tinubu To Release Nnamdi Kanu

Forty-four serving federal lawmakers have written President Bola Tinubu, urging him to order the release of Nnamdi Kanu and initiate a political process to address long-standing tensions in the South-East.

The lawmakers, who described themselves as “Concerned Federal Lawmakers,” said the President should invoke his constitutional powers to end Kanu’s prosecution and open the door for a national dialogue involving all key stakeholders.

In the two-page letter addressed to the President, the lawmakers argued that Kanu’s continued detention has deepened insecurity in the region and stalled attempts at reconciliation. They noted that previous administrations had opened negotiations with different militant and agitating groups, and urged Tinubu to adopt a similar approach in the interest of national unity.

The group also called on the President to direct the Attorney-General of the Federation to formally discontinue Kanu’s trial as “a first step toward a political settlement.”

According to them, “the insecurity that has gripped the South-East since 2015, and escalated further in 2021, requires a political solution rather than a prolonged legal battle.” They added that domestic court rulings and international tribunal decisions in Kanu’s favour should be considered in determining the next steps.

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The lawmakers said their appeal followed consultations across party lines and ethnic blocs, and reflected a growing national sentiment supporting the release of the detained IPOB leader.

Among the signatories were Ikenga Ugochinyere, Obi Aguocha, Murphy Osaro, Peter Akpanke, Mudshiru Lukman, Paul Nnamechi, Sunday Cyriacus, Obed Shehu, Dominic Nworie, Ugwu Emmanuel, Daniel Asama Ago, Chike Okafor, Adam Ogene Ogbaru, and several others from both northern and southern constituencies.

They maintained that discontinuing Kanu’s prosecution and convening a broad political roundtable would “offer Nigeria its best chance at reconciliation and stability.”

The Presidency has not yet issued a response to the lawmakers’ request.