By Peter Omopo
A coalition of 44 members of the House of Representatives on Tuesday called on President Bola Tinubu to adopt a political solution to the prolonged detention of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.
The lawmakers, operating under the banner of the Concerned Federal Lawmakers for National Unity, transmitted a two-page letter and formal resolution to the President, urging him to invoke his constitutional authority to end Kanu’s prosecution and initiate a broader national dialogue to restore peace in the South-East.
They argued that political engagement — rather than continued litigation — offered the most effective pathway to tackling insecurity and longstanding grievances in the region. As part of their request, they urged the President to direct the Attorney-General of the Federation to discontinue the Federal Government’s case against Kanu.
The letter was jointly signed by lawmakers including Ikenga Ugochinyere, Obi Aguocha, Murphy Osaro, Peter Akpanke, and Mudashiru Lukman, with additional signatories such as Paul Nnamechi, Dominic Okafor, Afam Ogene, Emeka Chinedu, Chimaobi Sam, Mascot Ikwechegh, Donatus Matthew, Ibe Osonwa, and Okey-Joe Onuakalusi.
In the document, the lawmakers wrote:
“Dear Mr President, following a strategic closed-door meeting involving lawmakers committed to strengthening national peace and stability, and after broad consultations across political divides and ethnic backgrounds, we jointly present this resolution on the continued detention of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.”
They cited the need for national healing, referencing past political negotiations with militants and agitator groups, as well as the escalation of insecurity in the South-East since 2015, which they said worsened significantly from 2021.
The group also noted various domestic court decisions and international tribunal rulings calling for Kanu’s release, adding that public support for ending his prosecution had grown across the country.
“In light of the growing nationwide support for halting his prosecution, we respectfully urge Your Excellency to direct the Attorney-General of the Federation to discontinue the case against him and initiate an inclusive political dialogue that can deliver a fair and lasting resolution,” the letter added.
The lawmakers expressed confidence that President Tinubu would consider their appeal and reaffirmed their commitment to his administration’s broader efforts to strengthen national unity.
Background
Nnamdi Kanu was first arrested in 2015 on charges including treasonable felony, sparking widespread protests across the South-East. Although he was granted bail in 2017, he fled the country following a military operation in Abia State, which IPOB claimed was an assassination attempt.
He was later intercepted in Kenya in June 2021 under disputed circumstances and returned to Nigeria to face new charges—an event that fuelled further unrest in the South-East, including weekly sit-at-home orders and a rise in violent attacks attributed by authorities to separatist groups.
Though the Court of Appeal discharged him in 2022 and ruled that his extradition was unlawful, the Federal Government declined to release him, citing national security concerns and ongoing legal appeals.
Several domestic courts, rights organisations, and international bodies have since questioned the legality of his continued detention.
Observers say the stalemate has remained a major driver of instability in the South-East, prompting renewed calls — such as those from the 44 lawmakers — for a political settlement to the crisis.
