BREAKING: Reps Deputy Speaker Makes Strong Case for Nnamdi Kanu’s Release

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, has urged President Bola Tinubu to facilitate the release of Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, as a means to restore peace in the South-East.

Kalu made this appeal on Wednesday following the inaugural meeting of the House Committee on the South-East Development Commission at the National Assembly in Abuja.

In a statement released on Thursday by his Special Assistant on Print Affairs, Udora Orizu, Kalu praised Tinubu’s steadfast support for the South-East, particularly his signing into law the South-East Development Commission Bill, which had been ineffective under previous administrations.

He asserted that a political approach, rather than a legal one, was the most effective way to address Kanu’s situation, arguing that his release would significantly alleviate insecurity in the region.

“We are pleading. The President is the Commander-in-Chief, and we cannot pressure him. All we ask is that he adopts a political solution instead of a legal one,” Kalu stated.

He maintained that Kanu’s release would strip criminal elements of their justification for ongoing violence.

“Those who claim to be fighting for Nnamdi Kanu will have no reason to remain on the streets. This will enable security agencies to pursue anyone still perpetrating harm,” he explained.

Kalu further noted that insecurity has hindered development in the South-East, a barrier he believes Tinubu’s intervention could help overcome.

“It is impossible to achieve development amidst insecurity. That is why we initiated the Peace in South-East Project with parliamentary support. We have come to realise that releasing Kanu will greatly diminish insecurity,” he said.

Additionally, Kalu commended Tinubu for his dedication to the development of the South-East, emphasising that his swift approval of the SEDC Bill showcased his commitment to inclusivity.

“Only President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has stood firm in asserting that the South-East is an integral part of Nigeria. Other Assemblies failed to pass the bill, but he signed it into law. We are truly grateful,” Kalu remarked.

He highlighted the region’s vast potential in agriculture, technology, sports, and entertainment, emphasising the necessity for federal government support to exploit these opportunities.

“We need something akin to Silicon Valley in the East—let’s call it Eastern Valley—a hub where young, creative minds can collaborate. These are areas we are focusing on, and with the right policies, development will flourish,” he concluded.