Calls for Nnamdi Kanu’s Release Put Tinubu Under Pressure
The recent efforts by South-East governors and members of the National Assembly to meet with President Bola Tinubu about releasing Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), have generated mixed reactions.
Kanu is a controversial figure in Nigerian politics. Some view him as a champion for self-determination, while others see him as a threat to national unity.
Groups like Ohanaeze Ndigbo, former Nigerian Bar Association President Olisa Agbakoba, and Ikoro Ndigbo support the talks, seeing them as a step toward a political solution. However, Abdul-Azeez Suleiman of the Northern Elders Forum opposes the move, arguing it would weaken the criminal justice system and encourage separatism.
Some believe the effort to release Kanu is overdue, given the ongoing concerns in the South-East region. Many groups and individuals, including political figures like Alhaji Atiku Abubakar and Mr. Peter Obi, have long called for Kanu’s release.
The South-East Governors’ Forum recently met in Enugu and agreed to approach President Tinubu for Kanu’s release. The meeting’s outcomes were shared by the forum’s Chairman, Senator Hope Uzodimma. Shortly after, 15 South-East senators, led by Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, met with the Attorney-General to push for a political solution to Kanu’s charges. South-East lawmakers in the House of Representatives also urged the President to release Kanu, suggesting an out-of-court settlement as the best way to restore peace in the region.
Previously, 50 House of Representatives members from various parts of Nigeria had appealed to President Tinubu to use his constitutional powers to release Kanu. The push for a political solution has intensified, with many Igbo leaders advocating for the charges against Kanu to be dropped.
Kanu, who has pleaded not guilty, has been detained since June 2021. His bail application was denied in March 2024. The proposed meeting with President Tinubu is seen as a hopeful step toward resolving the issue.
Agbakoba and other leaders commend the efforts of the governors and lawmakers, emphasizing the need for a peaceful resolution to improve the region’s stability and development. Okechukwu Nwanguma from the Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre also supports these renewed efforts, suggesting that Kanu’s release could reduce violence and insecurity in the South-East.
Releasing Kanu could end the “sit-at-home” protests that disrupt daily life and economic activities in the region. It could also reduce attacks on security personnel and infrastructure, which often lead to retaliatory actions affecting entire communities.
The Ohanaeze Youth Council’s President, Comrade Igboayaka O Igboayaka, criticized the previous administration for neglecting the issue and urged President Tinubu to take decisive action to improve Nigeria’s economy and security by releasing Kanu and promoting peace.
