Nnamdi Kanu: Temper ustice with mercy, Kalu appeals to Tinubu

…says IPOB leader’s release will end insecurity in S’East

By Tom Okpe

Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep Benjamin Okezie Kalu has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to temper justice with mercy and give freedom to leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu.

Kalu made the appeal while addressing the press after inaugural meeting of the House of Representatives Committee on South East Development Commission, SEDC, at the National Assembly complex in Abuja on Wednesday.

The Deputy Speaker also, commended Mr President for his continuous and tremendous support and commitment towards peace, development and stability of the South-East region.

He noted that the President since assuming office has in various ways, proven his love for the South-Easterners through his speedy assent to the South East Development Commission Bill, which failed in previous assemblies.

Suggesting the adoption of political approach than legal for the release of Kanu, the Deputy Speaker said people of the region will be eternally grateful to the President, if that becomes a reality, expressing optimism that the President will heed to their appeal.

He said: “When Kanu is released, insecurity in the region will be reduced and as well spring up development that the SEDC is going to bring.

“Only President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been able to put his feet down to say that the South East remains parts and parcel of Nigeria. It failed in previous Assemblies, but when it got to him, he assented to it.

“We are very happy because we know that certain areas of our problems in the region will be prioritised such as agriculture, energy, power, infrastructure and technology. We are innovative people. All we need is the support of Government to project the innovative mindedness of the young folks in that region to benefit the entire federation.

“The next one is the creative industry, how do we look at that, sports, entertainment, to take it from where it ought to be. In agriculture the whole nine yards, in line with the ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’ on Food Security, that’s what we are looking at.

“What’s happening with these talents, can’t we have something like silicon valley in the east? We can call it eastern valley, a hub where your creative minds will come together.

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“These are areas we are looking at, with a lot of technology in place, development will spring up. We are thankful to Mr President for doing this for the South-East, you know insecurity is a major concern in the area. You can’t have development in midst of insecurity. That’s why we started what we call peace in South-East project, supported by the parliament. But in doing so, we noticed that the insecurity there, will be reduced if Nnamdi Kanu is released. We want Nnamdi Kanu to be released because we know it will give our people more security.

“Those who are using him as excuses to perpetrate all these criminal actions around our area will have no other reason to be on the street. Then the police and security agencies will catch anyone who claims Nnamdi Kanu is the reason for causing harm to the people of South-East.

“So, we are begging, you can’t coarse the President, he’s the Commander in Chief. All we are saying is, use political approach not the legal approach. We are appealing to him to temper justice with mercy and release Nnamdi Kanu to southeast people. It will ensure more security for our people and spring up development that this SEDC is going to bring,” he added.

Namadi Kanu is a Nigerian born, British political activist, advocating for the secession and independence of ‘Biafra’ from Nigeria.
He is the leader of the group, Independent People of Biafra, IPOB, which he founded in 2012.
He was arrested, charged for terrorism and treason, and has been in detention.