A coalition of forty four members of Nigeria’s House of Representatives, drawn from both the northern and southern regions of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to embrace a political solution that could finally end the prolonged detention and prosecution of Mr Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, a secessionist movement operating primarily in the South Eastern part of the country.
Okay News reports that the lawmakers, under the banner of the “Concerned Federal Lawmakers For National Unity,” delivered a two page letter alongside an official legislative resolution to the Nigerian President. They urged him to use his constitutional authority to discontinue the Federal Government’s case against Mr Kanu and set the stage for a broad national dialogue that could help address long standing grievances, rising insecurity, and the deteriorating political climate in the South East geopolitical zone.
According to the group, intensified political engagement would be far more effective than the continuation of lengthy court battles, which they say have failed to address the root causes of agitation in the region. They argued that initiating dialogue and adopting a reconciliatory approach would be essential to restoring stability.
The letter was endorsed by lawmakers including Ikenga Ugochinyere, Obi Aguocha, Murphy Osaro, Peter Akpanke, and Mudashiru Lukman. Other signatories were Paul Nnamechi, Dominic Okafor, Afam Ogene, Emeka Chinedu, Chimaobi Sam, Mascot Ikwechegh, Donatus Matthew, Ibe Osonwa, and Okey-Joe Onuakalusi.
In their written appeal, the legislators stated:
“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.
“Motivated by the urgent need for national healing and reconciliation, and mindful of previous government negotiations with militants and various agitator groups, as well as the escalating insecurity in the South-East since 2015—worsening from 2021—we believe the time is ripe for a decisive political approach.
“We also take into account various domestic court rulings and international tribunal decisions that have called for Kanu’s release.”
The group reminded the President of the nationwide calls supporting an end to the prosecution, stating that:
“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 lawmakers expressed confidence that President Tinubu would carefully consider their appeal, reaffirming their support for interventions that strengthen national harmony and political stability.
Mr Nnamdi Kanu was originally arrested in October 2015 on charges that included treasonable felony. His arrest triggered widespread marches and demonstrations across Nigeria’s South Eastern and South Southern regions. Though he was granted bail in April 2017, he departed the country shortly after a military operation in Abia State, southeastern Nigeria, which the Indigenous People of Biafra claimed was an attempt on his life.
He later resurfaced outside the country, continuing broadcasts calling for a referendum on Biafran independence. In June 2021, he was intercepted in Kenya under disputed circumstances and returned to Nigeria to face new charges. His renewed detention intensified agitation in the South East, leading to weekly “sit at home” orders and violent incidents attributed by authorities to separatist elements.
In 2022, the Court of Appeal discharged him of all charges and declared his extradition from Kenya unlawful. However, the Federal Government maintained that he could not be released due to pending legal appeals and national security considerations. Various international human rights institutions and multiple Nigerian courts have since questioned the legitimacy of his continued incarceration.
This ongoing deadlock has been widely described by analysts as a major factor contributing to heightened tension in the region, resulting in renewed appeals—such as this latest one from the forty four lawmakers—for a political intervention instead of a purely legal approach.
