Release Nnamdi Kanu for peace to reign, former Lagos lawmaker urges Tinubu

Jude Idimogu, former member of the Lagos state house of assembly, has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to grant clemency to Nnamdi Kanu, detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), which has been proscribed by the federal government.

Speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Sunday in Lagos, Idimogu called on Igbo leaders, south-east governors, and other well-meaning Nigerians to join in persuading the president to pardon Kanu.

Kanu has been facing terrorism charges at the federal high court in Abuja since his repatriation from Kenya in June 2021 under controversial circumstances.

“I want to plead with our President, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, to kindly see the need to use political means to grant Nnamdi Kanu clemency. I want to appeal to all well-meaning Nigerians, not just those from Igbo extraction, to help plead with Mr President to use his good office to release Nnamdi Kanu,” Idimogu said.

He argued that Kanu’s release would help reduce insecurity and tension in the south-east.

“If this is done, I believe the insecurity situation and tension in the south-east will be reduced, if not completely curbed and eradicated. It will add to our votes in the south-east. If the president can look at this issue, the south-east will never forget him but forever be grateful,” he said.

Idimogu, who is the deputy leader of Ndigbo in Lagos APC, alleged that miscreants were exploiting Kanu’s name to commit crimes in the region.

He maintained that freeing the IPOB leader would also boost the region’s economy, which has been hit hard by sit-at-home orders.

“Mr President, kindly look at the south-east case and bring back businesses and trading that have long stagnated in the region because of insecurity. An average Igbo man is a trader.

“We cannot overlook this situation and the contributions of these traders in the south-east to the economy. The south-east used to be home to a lot of people before now, it just suddenly changed to be dens of insecurity and other vices. This can be arrested with Kanu’s release,” he said.

“Mr President, we know you to be a father with a compassionate heart, please, help us in the south-east, grant Kanu freedom to stabilise our region.”