In a united front, members of the Labour Party (LP) caucus in the South-East Houses of Assembly have come together to advocate for the liberation of Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). This unprecedented move seeks to address the pressing issues of insecurity and economic stagnation plaguing the region.
Kanu, who has been held in DSS detention since 2021 following his extradition from Kenya, has become a symbol of the struggle for self-determination in the South-East. By calling for his release, the lawmakers aim to distinguish genuine agitators from criminals and kidnappers, ultimately fostering a sense of security and unity in the region.
In a joint statement released to journalists in Awka, the lawmakers emphasized that Kanu’s prolonged detention was inadvertently emboldening criminal elements masquerading as agitators. These impostors have been engaging in unlawful activities, further exacerbating the security crisis in the South-East.
According to the statement, “We, therefore, lend our voices in appealing to President Bola Tinubu to urgently release Nnamdi Kanu. Such a step will quell the current insecurity ravaging the South-East zone, as it has severely impacted the region’s economy and resulted in the loss of countless lives and property.”
The release of Nnamdi Kanu, the lawmakers argue, will serve as a healing balm for the region, fostering a sense of unity and strengthening the nation as a whole.
Furthermore, it will effectively distinguish genuine agitators from opportunistic criminals, particularly those involved in the heinous business of kidnapping.
In addition to their plea for Kanu’s release, the lawmakers also appealed to the South-East governors and their counterparts across the country.
They urged them to actively work towards granting full financial autonomy to the state Houses of Assembly, aligning with constitutional provisions and the principles of separation of powers. This move would empower the legislative arm of government and enhance democratic governance at the state level.
