In a surprising turn of events, Isaac Fayose, the younger brother of former Ekiti State governor Ayodele Fayose, has made a heartfelt appeal to President Bola Tinubu.
Fayose is calling on President Tinubu to prioritize reconciliation and unity by releasing Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), and offering him opportunities for development, similar to the actions taken by former President Goodluck Jonathan with Niger Delta militant leader Tompolo.
Expressing his views in a video shared on his Instagram handle, Fayose emphasized that releasing Kanu would play a significant role in reducing the level of insecurity in the Southeast region.
He believes that this gesture would not only promote peace but also garner more votes for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2027 elections.
Drawing a parallel with former President Jonathan’s approach, Fayose questioned why a similar strategy couldn’t be implemented in the Southeast.
He suggested that if the government could extend a contract to Tompolo to ensure peace in the Niger Delta, a similar opportunity could be provided to Kanu in order to address the prevailing issues in the Southeast.
Fayose further argued that releasing Kanu would have a direct impact on reducing the financial burden of security expenses in the Southeast.
By redirecting resources towards development and addressing the root causes of unrest, Fayose believes that the region would witness a significant decline in crime rates.
In a strategic move, Fayose also highlighted the potential benefits for President Tinubu in releasing Kanu. He suggested that by taking such a reconciliatory action, President Tinubu could counter the disappointment of the Southeast electorate in the 2027 elections.
Fayose believes that this gesture would demonstrate President Tinubu’s good intentions and foster a sense of unity and inclusivity among the people of the Southeast.
Isaac Fayose’s appeal comes in the wake of similar calls from prominent figures like Peter Obi, the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, and other concerned Nigerians.
They too have urged President Tinubu to consider the release of Nnamdi Kanu as a step towards national healing and unity.
It remains to be seen how President Tinubu will respond to these appeals and whether he will embrace this opportunity to promote reconciliation and foster a sense of unity in the Southeast region.
