Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
Forty-four members of the House of Representatives, drawn from various geopolitical zones, on Tuesday wrote to President Ahmed Bola Tinubu seeking the release of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
Their appeal comes less than 48 hours before Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, is expected to deliver judgment on the terrorism charges filed against the IPOB leader.
The lawmakers urged the President to discontinue Kanu’s prosecution and initiate a broad-based consultation with stakeholders to pursue a political solution to the matter.
In what appears to be a major twist in the intensifying calls for Kanu’s freedom, the 44 serving federal lawmakers—coordinated by Hon. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, who represents Ideato Federal Constituency of Imo State—signed a two-page letter requesting the President to invoke his constitutional powers to release Kanu.
They also appealed to President Tinubu to “convene an all-inclusive political roundtable with all parties to the challenges to find a lasting solution via a political window.”
Operating under the aegis of Concerned Federal Lawmakers, the legislators urged the President to “as soon as practicable, direct the Attorney-General of the Federation to exercise his constitutional powers and discontinue the prosecution of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.”
The letter, titled “National Interest Driven Resolution by Concerned Federal Lawmakers on the Issue of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s Continued Detention,” read in part: “Dear Mr President, after a closed-door strategic meeting of the following federal lawmakers committed to the promotion of national unity and stability, and after extensive consultations across all party lines and various ethnic groups, we hereby write and subscribe to this letter concerning Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
“This is driven by the abiding and urgent need for national reconciliation and healing; having noted the Federal Government’s open negotiations with militants and different agitating groups across Nigeria; in view of the insecurity that has pervaded the Southeast since late 2015 and escalated since 2021; in consideration of several domestic court and international tribunal pronouncements in favour of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu; and in the face of the growing national support for his release and the discontinuance of his prosecution.”
Signatories
The letter was signed by: Hon. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, Hon. Obi Aguocha, Hon. Murphy Osaro, Hon. Peter Akpanke, Hon. Mudashiru Lukman, Hon. Paul Nnamchi, Hon. Sunday Cyriacus, and Hon. Obed Shehu.
Others include Hon. Dominic, Hon. Chief Ugwu Emmanuel, Hon. Daniel Asama Ago, Hon. Chike John Okafor, Hon. Adam Ogene Ogbaru, Hon. Emeka Martins Chinedu, Hon. Chimaobi Sam, Hon. Alex Mascot Ikwechegh, Hon. Donatus Matthew, Hon. Ibe Osonwa, Barr. Okey-Joe Onuakalusi, and Hon. Mudashiru Lukman.
Also among the signatories were Hon. Thaddeus Atta, Hon. Udema H. Okonkwo, Hon. Cyril Godwin, Hon. Princess Chinwe Nnabuike, Hon. Kama Nkemkama, Hon. Peter Aniekwe, Hon. Gwachem Maureen, Hon. Onwunka, Hon. Anayo Onwuegbu, Hon. Nwobosi Joseph, Hon. Amobi Godwin, Hon. Blessing Amadi, and Hon. Anthony Adebayo Adepoju.
The list further includes Hon. Dr. Joshua Audu Gana, Hon. Chris Nkwonta, Hon. Emeka Idu, Hon. Peter Ifeanyi Uzokwe, Hon. Matthew Nwogu, Hon. Tochukwu Okere, Hon. Benedict Etanabene, Hon. Godwin Offiono, Hon. Ngozi Okolie, and Hon. Nnamdi Ezechi.
