Call For Nnamdi Kanu’s Release Intensifies

 

The call for the release of Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), has gained renewed momentum, with the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, leading the charge. In a recent appeal to President Bola Tinubu, Kalu urged the President to grant freedom to Kanu, who has been incarcerated for his role in leading the controversial pro-Biafran group.

Speaking at the inaugural meeting of the House of Representatives Committee on South-East Development Commission (SEDC), which took place at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja, Kalu addressed the ongoing unrest in the South-East region and the significant role that Kanu’s release could play in restoring peace. Kalu emphasized the urgent need for a political solution to the issue, advocating for President Tinubu to use his power of mercy to bring an end to the situation rather than relying on the judicial process alone.

Kalu's statement, issued through his Special Assistant on Print Affairs, Udora Orizu, highlighted that President Tinubu had already shown his commitment to the South-East by quickly assenting to the South-East Development Commission Bill, a piece of legislation that had previously stalled in the National Assembly. Kalu expressed gratitude for this support, noting that the region had been in need of a comprehensive development plan, particularly addressing critical areas such as agriculture, energy, infrastructure, and technology.

During the meeting, the Deputy Speaker expressed that the South-East people would be eternally grateful to President Tinubu if Nnamdi Kanu were released. He stressed that many of the criminal activities currently plaguing the region could be attributed to those who misuse Kanu’s name to justify their actions. Kalu believed that freeing Kanu would remove the primary rallying point for these elements, thus reducing insecurity and paving the way for lasting peace and development.

Kalu's remarks also underscored the importance of fostering security in the region before any meaningful development could occur. He stated, “You can’t have development in the midst of insecurity,” pointing to the fragile state of peace in the South-East.

The Deputy Speaker also applauded President Tinubu for his leadership, asserting that only the current administration had been able to affirm that the South-East remains an integral part of Nigeria. He noted that the assent to the South-East Development Commission Bill had long been an unmet goal for the region, but with Tinubu’s intervention, it was now a reality. This move, according to Kalu, signals a new chapter of hope for the region, which could benefit immensely from government-backed initiatives targeting innovation and youth development.

While continuing to call for Kanu’s release, Kalu reiterated the need for unity and peace in the region, urging the people of the South-East to support the government's efforts toward building a safer and more prosperous future for all.

The pressure on President Tinubu to act on Kalu’s appeal is expected to intensify in the coming weeks as various stakeholders in the South-East region rally behind the cause.