Call for Release of Nnamdi Kanu Ongoing – Deputy Speaker

Last updated Apr 2, 2024

By Gloria Essien, Abuja

The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Okezie Kalu has revealed that frantic efforts are ongoing to secure the release from prison the leader of the proscribed Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

Kalu said that while the court processes are ongoing, political solutions are being worked out.

Speaking at the special edition of “The Ben Kalu’s Mandate”, a radio programme of FLO FM, Umuahia, Abia State on Monday virtually, the Deputy Speaker said that it was deliberate to work behind the scenes to realize the objective.

Kalu’s clarification came on the heels of an enquiry by the programme anchor, Wisdom Thomas whether the Peace In South East Project (PISE-P), a recently launched initiative of the Deputy Speaker which calls for a non-kinetic measure to resolve the security challenges in the South East has abandoned the IPOB leader.

While calling for support for the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Deputy Speaker also hinted at a likely visit by the elders of Igbo land to engage President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on familiar issues affecting the South East.

He said: “The Peace in South East Project (PISE-P) has reconciliation in the mix of what we are trying to achieve. We recognize the importance of our brother, Nnamdi Kanu in the peace agenda we are pushing. That’s the truth. And I have been very vocal about it. I am not hiding it. I have always told people that I will never deny Nnamdi Kanu. He is my brother. We come from the same place and I will never be happy having him incarcerated when we can have him out and increase our pursuit towards peace. Though we may not advance all the things we are doing backdoor, I can assure you that all the powers-that-be in this country know that people like us are not sitting on the fence. I don’t know about the next person but I am talking about Benjamin Okezie Kalu. I am not sitting on the fence about it. I am lobbying.

“We cannot go about this before the court. I am more interested in using a political solution towards resolving this. So, I am asking for one or two things from the federal government.

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Kalu also said that he has discussed with Mr. President the need for the elders of Igboland to come, sit and engage with him. According to him, one of the topics that will come up there is Nnamdi Kanu and the SEDC. Kalu revealed that at the meeting he will also thank Mr. President for all the good things and appointments he has been giving to the Igbo people.

Kalu also said that while the court is doing what they are doing, he will not truncate legal processes or be afraid to identify with Nnamdi Kanu and ask for his release.

Kalu said, “As we are asking Mr. President to release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu for us and give us the South East Development Commission, we must on the other hand show him loyalty by making sure that there is peace in our area.”

South-East Development Commission Bill

Speaking on the present state of the South East Development Commission Bill, Kalu said that the piece of legislation is at the conference committee stage where some issues regarding the confirmation of the commissioners are being resolved.

“The South East Development Commission Bill is before the Senate at the moment and it has gone through 3rd reading. What is happening at the moment is what we call the conference committee that will go through the bill and find out areas of divergence and convergence. Only one clause is for amendment and that clause has to do with the appointment of the commissioners to be confirmed only by the Senate and not the National Assembly involving the House of Representatives as we have drafted it. It’s a minor issue which the House will be willing to let go. So, that is the only thing that is remaining and I am sure by the time we resume, the Committee that has been formed to look at the issue, and the conference committee will tender their report. And we believe that by the time it gets to the presidency, it will be assented to by the peace-loving president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria who loves the Igbos and is interested in making a mark in Igbo land”, Kalu said.

Emmanuel Ukoh