The push for the release of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, gained major momentum on Tuesday as 44 members of the House of Representatives formally petitioned President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to order his freedom without further delay.
The lawmakers, drawn from multiple political parties and geopolitical zones, described Kanu’s continued detention as a “national concern” requiring urgent political intervention from the Presidency.
In a jointly signed letter addressed to President Tinubu, the legislators urged him to invoke his constitutional powers and direct the Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, to discontinue all pending charges against Kanu. They also appealed for a broad-based dialogue to address grievances fueling agitation in the Southeast.
According to the lawmakers, their position followed extensive consultations across party lines and ethnic groups. They noted that rising insecurity in the Southeast, alongside several domestic and international rulings in Kanu’s favour, makes his prolonged detention unnecessary.
Part of the letter read:
“Dear Mr. President… we hereby respectfully and earnestly request that you direct the Attorney-General of the Federation to exercise his constitutional powers and discontinue the prosecution of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu; and to initiate a constructive dialogue aimed at seeking a just political solution.”
The legislators said releasing Kanu would help de-escalate tension, restore confidence among residents and investors, and promote national healing. They emphasized that their appeal was rooted in national interest rather than political partisanship.
They further reminded the President that past administrations had engaged other agitating groups across the country, arguing that the same political solution should be extended to Kanu’s case.
The letter was endorsed by 44 lawmakers, including:
Hon. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, Hon. Obi Aguocha, Hon. Murphy Osaro, Hon. Peter Akpanke, Hon. Mudashiru Lukman, Hon. Paul Nnamechi, Hon. Barr. Sunday Cyriacus, Hon. Obed Shehu, Hon. Dominic Ifeanyi, 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, Barr. Okey-Joe Onuakalusi, Hon. Thaddeus Atta, Hon. Udema H. Okonkwo, Hon. Cyril Godwin, Hon. 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, 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.
The lawmakers urged the President to act swiftly, insisting that discontinuing the prosecution and releasing Kanu would significantly enhance national unity, peace, and long-term stability
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