A bipartisan group of 44 serving Federal Lawmakers from across Nigeria has intensified the pressure on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, sending a formal resolution demanding the immediate release of detained Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
The lawmakers, operating under the banner of “Concerned Federal Lawmakers,” urged President Tinubu to invoke his constitutional powers and direct the Attorney-General of the Federation to discontinue Kanu’s prosecution.
The two-page letter, signed by representatives from both Northern and Southern regions, is a significant, cross-regional call for a political solution to the long-standing challenges and rising insecurity in the South-East. They requested the President to direct the AGF to use the nolle prosequi power to stop the trial and called for an all-inclusive political dialogue to find a lasting solution to the unrest, driven by the need for national reconciliation and healing. They also referenced the “many domestic court and international tribunal pronouncements” in favour of Kanu.
The lawmakers who signed the letter addressed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu are Hon. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere, Hon. Obi Aguocha, Hon. Murphy Osaro, Hon. Peter Akpanke, Hon. Mudshiru Lukman, Hon. Paul Nnamechi, Hon. Barr. Sunday Cyriacus, Hon. Obed Shehu, Hon. Engr. Dominic, Hon. Chief Ugwu Emmanuel, Hon. Daniel Asama Ago, Hon. Chike John Okafor, Hon. Adam Ogene Ogbaru, Hon. Emeka Martin’s Chinedu, Hon. Chimaobi Sam, Hon. Alex Mascot Ikwechegh, Hon. Donatus Matthew, Hon. Ibe Osonwa, Barr. Okey-Joe Onuakalusi, Hon. Mudashiru Lukman, 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 letter puts the ball firmly in President Tinubu’s court, forcing a high-stakes decision on whether to adopt a political approach to the case that has deeply divided the nation and impacted security in the South-East.
