Deputy Speaker Urges Tinubu to Free Nnamdi Kanu for Peace in South-East

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to grant clemency to Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), in a bid to restore peace in the South-East....CONTINUE READING>>>

Speaking to journalists after the first meeting of the House Committee on the South-East Development Commission (SEDC) at the National Assembly in Abuja, Kalu praised Tinubu’s commitment to fostering stability in the region. He commended the president for signing the South-East Development Commission Bill, which previous administrations had failed to approve.

Kalu emphasized that addressing the unrest in the South-East requires a political rather than a purely legal approach. He expressed optimism that Kanu’s release would help curb insecurity and facilitate the development efforts of the SEDC.

“Only President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was able to affirm that the South-East remains an integral part of Nigeria. The South-East Development Commission Bill failed in previous assemblies, but when it reached him, he signed it. We are grateful because this means areas like agriculture, energy, power, and infrastructure will finally receive the attention they deserve,” Kalu stated.

He further noted that insecurity remains a major obstacle to progress in the region.

“We believe that if Nnamdi Kanu is released, those using his detention as a reason for violence will lose their excuse, and security agencies can better manage threats to our people,” Kalu added.

Nnamdi Kanu was first arrested in October 2015 on charges of treasonable felony, inciting violence, and running an illegal organization. He was granted bail in April 2017 under strict conditions but fled the country following a military raid on his home in Abia State later that year.

After nearly four years in exile, Kanu was rearrested in Kenya and extradited to Nigeria in June 2021. Since then, he has faced multiple court hearings, with some rulings ordering his release, but the government has continued to detain him.