In a powerful and timely call for peace, Benjamin Kalu, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to release Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), who has been in detention for several years. Speaking to the media after the first meeting of the House of Representatives Committee on the South-East Development Commission (SEDC) at the National Assembly in Abuja, Kalu framed his appeal not just as a matter of justice, but also as a political necessity for lasting peace and development in Nigeria’s South-East region.
Kalu praised President Tinubu for his proactive stance on the South-East, highlighting the President’s ongoing commitment to the region’s economic revitalization and stability. One of the key actions that earned praise from Kalu was the signing into law of the South-East Development Commission Bill, a major achievement that had eluded previous administrations. This commission aims to address critical issues such as infrastructure, energy, agriculture, and power in the South-East, ensuring that these sectors, which are vital for the region’s growth, finally receive the attention they deserve.
“I want to commend President Tinubu for what no other president has done before,” Kalu remarked. “The South-East has been neglected for years, but with the signing of the South-East Development Commission Bill, President Tinubu has shown that he recognizes the importance of the South-East. Now, issues such as energy, power, infrastructure, and agriculture can receive the attention they have long deserved. This is an unprecedented commitment to the future of the region.”
Despite this monumental step towards progress, Kalu also underscored that insecurity remains the region’s greatest challenge. He believes that the political situation surrounding Nnamdi Kanu plays a central role in fueling the instability that plagues the South-East. In his view, the continued detention of Kanu serves as a rallying point for those seeking to destabilize the region, with many individuals using his imprisonment as a justification for violence.
Kalu emphasized that addressing the region’s insecurity requires more than just military action. A political solution—including the release of Nnamdi Kanu—would, in his opinion, remove a significant obstacle to peace and would give the people of the South-East the opportunity to fully embrace the development initiatives that the government has promised.
“If President Tinubu releases Nnamdi Kanu, it will significantly reduce the violence and instability in the region,” Kalu stated with conviction. “For years, some individuals have used his detention as an excuse to wreak havoc. If Kanu is released, these elements will lose their justification for their violence, and security agencies will be able to focus on addressing the real threats to our people.”
Kalu’s words reflect the growing sentiment among South-East residents and stakeholders that only through reconciliation, forgiveness, and political accommodation can the region begin to heal from its wounds and realize its full potential. As tensions rise over the continued detention of Nnamdi Kanu, there is a widespread belief that his release could be the catalyst for a new era of peaceful coexistence and national unity.
The history of Nnamdi Kanu’s arrest and detention remains a deeply divisive issue. Originally arrested in October 2015 on charges including treasonable felony, inciting violence, and leading an illegal organization, Kanu has been a symbol of resistance for some and a source of frustration for others. His detention sparked widespread protests, particularly in the South-East, and his eventual escape from Nigeria in 2017 further compounded the situation. After Operation Python Dance raided his home in Abia State, Kanu disappeared and his whereabouts remained unknown until June 2021, when he was rearrested in Kenya and extradited back to Nigeria.
Since his return, the controversy surrounding Kanu’s case has continued to play out in Nigerian courts. Despite several court rulings in his favor, which have called for his release, the Nigerian government has continued to hold him in detention. His case has become emblematic of the broader political struggles within Nigeria, particularly the South-East region, where there are growing calls for greater political autonomy and recognition.
Kalu’s appeal to President Tinubu highlights the need for political will in resolving the impasse. While some argue that Kanu’s detention is justified, others, including Kalu, believe that his release would go a long way toward building trust between the federal government and the South-East region, reducing ethnic tensions, and creating a path for peaceful development.
The Deputy Speaker’s appeal is not only an appeal for justice, but also for hope—hope that the South-East can move beyond its painful past and embrace a future built on unity, prosperity, and peace. Kalu’s words speak to a deeper truth: Nigeria’s unity cannot be fully realized if large segments of its population feel marginalized and alienated. The South-East’s challenges are deeply rooted in a history of neglect, but they can also be resolved through a commitment to dialogue, understanding, and inclusive growth.
The call for peace, however, will only be answered if leaders like President Tinubu choose to take bold, decisive action. By releasing Nnamdi Kanu, the President would not only be acknowledging the region’s pain but would also be paving the way for a new era of national healing. The actions of today will determine the future of the South-East, and the future of Nigeria itself.
As Benjamin Kalu continues his calls for political reconciliation, the question remains: will President Tinubu act in the best interest of the South-East, the nation, and the countless Nigerians who yearn for peace? Only time will tell, but for now, Kalu’s call remains a powerful reminder of what is at stake for the future of the South-East and all of Nigeria.
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