Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Kalu, has expressed optimism about the imminent release of Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). Kalu revealed that he has made multiple visits to Kanu at the Department of State Security (DSS) facility.
This announcement follows a recent open letter addressed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu by several lawmakers, led by the representative for Ikwuano/Umuahia South and North Federal Constituency of Abia. The lawmakers appealed for Kanu’s release by invoking Section 174 of the 1999 Constitution (As Amended) and Section 107(1) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015.
On Tuesday, Kalu commended the lawmakers for supporting the appeals for Kanu’s freedom. He made his remarks through a statement issued in Abuja by his Chief Press Secretary, Levinus Nwabughiogu.
Kalu expressed hope that the Southeast caucus would soon unite to support this effort. He emphasized the importance of Kanu’s release for restoring peace in the region and noted significant progress in his private discussions with authorities to achieve a political solution.
“I want to sincerely express my profound appreciation to my colleagues from all parts of the country and different political parties who made up the 50 lawmakers that recently lent their voices to the appeal for the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu,” Kalu stated.
“The call signifies oneness of purpose and a noble objective: that we are one people and what affects one, also affects another. I have always emphasized that united we stand, divided we fall.”
Kalu assured his colleagues that President Tinubu is committed to the peace and development of the Southeast. “Given his genuine love for the zone and the appeals so far made, a political solution is imminent in resolving the case of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu,” he said.
“The voices of my brothers in the parliament are indeed inspiring and I cannot thank them and other Nigerians enough for queuing behind me.”
