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Deputy Speaker Urges Tinubu to Release Nnamdi Kanu

Published

1 month ago

Feb 6, 2025.

Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu urges President Tinubu to release Nnamdi Kanu
He suggests a political, not legal, approach.
He argues that Kanu’s release will reduce insecurity, boost development.

The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu, has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to release Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), from detention.

Kalu urged the president to temper justice with mercy, suggesting that a political approach, rather than a legal one, would be more beneficial for the South-East region.

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Kalu made this appeal while addressing the press after the inaugural meeting of the House of Representatives committee on South East Development Commission (SEDC) at the National Assembly complex in Abuja.

He commended President Tinubu for his dedication to peace and development in the South-East, highlighting his swift assent to the South East Development Commission Bill, which had previously failed in past assemblies.

“We are begging; you can’t coerce the President; he’s the Commander in Chief. All we are saying is use a political approach, not the legal approach,” Kalu stated. He emphasized that the release of Kanu would significantly improve security in the region and stimulate the kind of development the SEDC aims to bring.

The Deputy Speaker noted that the South-East has long faced challenges in areas such as agriculture, energy, power, infrastructure, and technology. He suggested that with the government’s support, the region’s innovative spirit could benefit the entire country.

He envisioned the creation of an “Eastern Valley,” a hub for creative minds akin to Silicon Valley, that would foster growth in various sectors, including agriculture, sports, and entertainment.

Kalu also acknowledged the importance of reducing insecurity to ensure sustainable development. He emphasized that the region could not thrive in the face of continued violence, citing the release of Kanu as a key step in curbing insecurity. “We know that if Nnamdi Kanu is released, those using his name as an excuse to cause harm will have no reason to continue their actions,” he said, expressing optimism that this move would lead to more security and stability for the South-East.