44 Federal Lawmakers Call For Nnamdi Kanu’s Release

A significant new step has surfaced amid the increasing demands for the freedom of Nnamdi Kanu, as 44 current federal legislators from both the northern and southern regions of Nigeria have collectively authored a two-page letter and accompanying resolution addressed to President Bola Tinubu.

In the document, the legislators pressed the President to exercise his constitutional authority to order the release of Kanu from custody and to organise a comprehensive, all-inclusive political roundtable that would assemble all major stakeholders in order to tackle the nation’s difficulties and work towards a sustainable political resolution.

Functioning under the umbrella of “Concerned Federal Lawmakers”, the parliamentarians additionally called on President Tinubu to instruct the Attorney General of the Federation to utilise his constitutional powers to halt the ongoing prosecution of Kanu.

This letter is in harmony with the latest public opinions and the mounting political appeals that are advocating for a political rather than judicial approach to resolving the extended incarceration of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra.

Among those who appended their signatures to the letter are Hon Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, Hon Obi Aguocha, Hon Murphy Osaro, Hon Peter Akpanke, Hon Mudshiru Lukman, Hon Paul Nnamechi, Hon Sunday Cyriacus, Hon Obed Shehu, Hon Dominic, Hon Ugwu Emmanuel, Hon Daniel Asama Ago, Hon Chike John Okafor, Hon Adam Ogene Ogbaru, Hon Emeka Martin Chinedu, Hon Chimaobi Sam, Hon Alex Mascot Ikwechegh, Hon Donatus Matthew, Hon Ibe Osonwa, Okey Joe Onuakalusi, Hon Thaddeus Atta, Hon Udema H Okonkwo, Hon Cyril Godwin, Princess Chinwe Nnabuike, Hon Kana Nkemkama, Hon Peter Aniekwe, Hon Gwachem Maureen, Hon Onwunka, Hon Anayo Onwuegbu, Hon Nwobosi Joseph, Hon Amobi Godwin, Hon Blessing Amadi, Hon Anthony Adebayo Adepoju, 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.

In the resolution attached, the legislators contended that suspending the prosecution and initiating meaningful dialogue remains essential in order to promote national reconciliation, ease the prevailing tensions in the Southeast, and establish a long-lasting resolution through a distinctly political method.

Part of the letter reads: “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 ethnic groups, we hereby write and subscribe to this letter concerning Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. Driven by the urgent need for national reconciliation and healing, and having noted the Federal Government’s past engagements with militants and agitating groups across Nigeria, and in view of the insecurity that has affected the Southeast since 2015 and escalated since 2021, and considering various domestic court and international tribunal pronouncements in favour of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, we request the following.”

The parliamentarians requested that the President direct the Attorney General to terminate Kanu’s trial and to launch an constructive dialogue intended to secure a fair and lasting political settlement.

The letter ends on a note of trust in President Tinubu’s wisdom and with an earnest appeal for swift attention to their plea.

A Gentle Reminder: Every obstacle is a stepping stone, every morning; a chance to go again, and those little steps take you closer to your dream.

Nnamdi Okoli