The individuals and organizations that have appealed to President Bola Tinubu to release Nnamdi Kanu are about 50 members of the House of Representatives, who are spread across the six geo-political zones of the country. These lawmakers made this appeal under the aegis of the Concerned Federal Lawmakers for Peace and Security in the South-East. The signatories of the three-page letter addressed to Tinubu, dated June 19, 2024, include Obi Aguocha (Abia), Ikenga Ugochinyere (Imo), Afam Ogene (Anambra), Muhammed Jajere (Yobe), Aliyu Mustapha (Kaduna), Midala Balami (Borno), and Abiante Awaji-Inombek (Rivers). Others are Dominic Okafor (Anambra), Etanabene Benedict (Delta), Abdulmaleek Danga (Kogi), Shehu Dalhatu (Katsina), Chinedu Martins (Imo), Matthew Nwogu (Imo), Peter Aniekwe (Anambra), Koki Sagir (Kano) and Amobi Oga (Abia) among others.
What is the request made to President Bola Tinubu regarding Nnamdi Kanu?
The request made to President Bola Tinubu is for him to invoke Section 174 of the Constitution of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) and Section 107(1) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015 to release Nnamdi Kanu from the custody of the Department of State Services. The lawmakers urged Tinubu to direct the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, to invoke his powers of nolle prosequi under the provisions of Section 174(1) of the Constitution and Section 107(1) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015, and cause the release of Kanu from detention and discontinue his trial. The lawmakers believed that this is long overdue and would be instrumental in opening the door for much-needed conversations surrounding peace reformation and inclusivity, as well as addressing the issues that led to the agitations.
Why do these lawmakers want Nnamdi Kanu released?
These lawmakers want Nnamdi Kanu released because they believe it is a pivotal gesture towards national unity, as it would address some political, security, and economic concerns in the region. They believe this singular act can encourage stakeholders from the South-East to engage more actively in national discussions on renewed hope agenda, thereby promoting inclusivity and addressing long-standing grievances. Furthermore, they believe this would help dismantle apparatuses of violence and restiveness that have plagued the region, allowing for a focus on economic growth and development at a time when Nigeria is going through several constitutional reforms.
