Forty-four serving members of the House of Representatives have written President Bola Tinubu, urging him to order the release of the leader of the banned Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.
The House members also urged Tinubu to initiate a political dialogue aimed at resolving grievances fueling unrest in the South-East.
The lawmakers, drawn from various regions across the country and different political parties, signed a two-page resolution calling on the president to exercise his constitutional authority by directing the minister of justice to discontinue Kanu’s prosecution.
The group, convened by Rep. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, representing Ideato South/ North Federal Constituency of Imo State, said their joint decision followed consultations across ethnic, religious, and party lines.
In the letter addressed to the president, the petitioners stated that the continued detention of Kanu has contributed to rising insecurity, economic disruption, sit-at-home enforcement, and tensions across the South-East since 2021.
The lawmakers argued that the federal government had previously engaged armed groups and agitators in other parts of the country and should apply the same political approach in resolving issues linked to the IPOB leader.
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Part of the letter reads: “Driven by the need for national reconciliation and healing, and noting court rulings and international tribunal pronouncements in favor of Nnamdi Kanu, we respectfully request that Mr. President directs the attorney-general to discontinue the prosecution and begin a constructive political dialogue.”
They further appealed to Tinubu to consider the growing public demand for a political solution and the potential impact Kanu’s release could have on restoring peace and stability in the region.
The lawmakers maintained that resolving the matter politically rather than through prolonged litigation would help reposition the government’s effort toward national unity.
The letter was signed by Rep. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, Rep. Obi Aguocha, Rep. Murphy Osaro, Rep. Peter Akpanke, Rep. Mudshiru Lukman, Rep. Paul Nnamechi, Rep. Chike Okafor, Rep. Nnamdi Ezechi, Rep. Chris Nkwonta, Rep. Thaddeus Atta, Rep. Ibe Osonwa, and 34 others.
The development marks one of the strongest coordinated legislative appeals yet concerning Kanu’s case.
