The South East caucus in the House of Representatives has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to exercise presidential clemency for Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), who was recently sentenced to life imprisonment.
Kanu was convicted last week on five of seven terrorism-related charges brought against him by the Federal Government. His trial was marked by tension, with Justice James Omotosho ordering him out of the courtroom for contemptuous behaviour before delivering the verdict. Hours after the sentencing, his lawyer, Aloy Ejimakor, announced that Kanu had been transferred from the Department of State Services facility in Abuja to a correctional centre in Sokoto.
Meeting on Monday at the National Assembly Complex, 42 lawmakers from the South East resolved to appeal directly to the President, warning that Kanu’s continued detention was worsening insecurity in the region.
Reading a communiqué titled “Appeal for a Political and Humanitarian Resolution in the Case of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu,” Ebonyi lawmaker Idu Igariwey said the caucus respects the judiciary but believes the situation requires a political solution. “Our responsibility requires us to speak with clarity when a legal matter evolves into a broader national concern with serious humanitarian, economic, and security consequences,” he stated.
The caucus urged Tinubu to use his constitutional powers under Section 175 to grant pardon, arguing that Kanu’s incarceration has fuelled agitation and strained peace efforts in the South East. “A presidential act of mercy at this time has the potential to de-escalate tensions, restore normalcy, and reduce the cycle of security operations and civil resistance,” the communiqué noted.
Lawmakers highlighted the social and economic disruptions caused by the crisis, including closed markets, interrupted schooling, and reduced commercial activity. They recalled Nigeria’s history of using presidential clemency to heal divisions, stressing that such an act now would demonstrate inclusiveness and leadership that prioritises unity over division.
“The release of Mazi Kanu, through pardon, would open space for broader engagement between the Federal Government, elected leaders, and community stakeholders to chart a sustainable and peaceful path forward,” Igariwey said.
The caucus urged residents of the region to remain calm and law-abiding, assuring them that dialogue with the Federal Government will continue. “The South-East caucus remains committed to working with the Federal Government to advance national unity, inclusive governance, and lasting stability across all regions,” the lawmakers affirmed.
