Forty-four serving members of Nigeria’s House of Representatives have written President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, urging him to exercise his constitutional powers to secure the release of detained IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu.
The lawmakers, drawn from both northern and southern regions and operating under the banner of Concerned Federal Lawmakers, conveyed their appeal in a two-page letter and accompanying resolution addressed to the President. They called for an all-inclusive political dialogue involving key stakeholders as part of efforts to address national grievances and pursue long-term stability.
Central to their request is an appeal for President Tinubu to direct the Attorney-General of the Federation to discontinue Kanu’s prosecution “as soon as practicable,” invoking the AGF’s constitutional powers under Section 174 of the 1999 Constitution.
The lawmakers argued that such a move would open a political window for constructive engagement and help chart a sustainable path toward peace, especially in the Southeast, which has witnessed heightened insecurity since 2015 and a significant escalation from 2021.
Their letter, signed by 44 lawmakers including Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, Obi Aguocha, Murphy Osaro, Peter Akpanke, Mudshiru Lukman, Paul Nnamechi, Sunday Cyriacus, Obed Shehu, Dominic, Chief Ugwu Emmanuel, Daniel Asama Ago, Chike John Okafor, Adam Ogene Ogbaru, and others, cites several factors underpinning their appeal. These include:
- The need for national reconciliation and healing;
- Existing government precedents of negotiating with militant and agitating groups across the country;
- Multiple domestic court and international tribunal pronouncements in favour of Kanu;
- A growing nationwide sentiment calling for his release and for the discontinuation of his prosecution.
In the letter, the lawmakers wrote:
“Driven by the abiding and urgent need for national reconciliation and healing… and in the realization of the many domestic court and international tribunal pronouncements in favor of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu… we hereby respectfully and earnestly request our dear President… to direct the Attorney-General of the Federation to exercise his constitutional powers and discontinue the prosecution of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.”
They further urged the President to initiate a constructive dialogue following the discontinuation, with the aim of achieving a just and lasting political settlement.
The lawmakers expressed confidence in the President’s commitment to national unity, stating:
“We are grateful to you, our dear President, for Your Excellency’s prompt consideration of our request; and please be assured of our continuing respects for your high office.”
