Deputy Speaker Urges Tinubu to Politically Release Nnamdi Kanu for South-East Stability

Deputy Speaker's Urgent Appeal to President Tinubu

In a significant political move, Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu has made an impassioned plea to President Bola Tinubu, urging him to release Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB). Kalu believes that releasing Kanu through political means—not legal processes—can drastically change the trajectory of the South-East region. During the inaugural meeting of the House Committee on the South-East Development Commission (SEDC) at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja on February 7, 2025, Kalu voiced his concerns.

Kalu's appeal is not just about political freedom; it’s tied to broader regional stability and development. President Tinubu recently signed into law the bill establishing the SEDC after previous legislative setbacks. This commission aims to boost sectors such as agriculture, energy, infrastructure, and technology in the South-East. Kalu articulated that Kanu’s freedom is essential to this mission, as it could eliminate the excuses used by criminal elements to justify their activities.

Focusing on Development and Stability

The Deputy Speaker highlighted the numerous benefits that freeing Kanu could bring, particularly in mitigating insecurity in the South-East. Kalu argued that if Kanu were released, it would strip criminal groups of any so-called reasons for their violent actions, enabling security forces to focus on genuine threats. The hope is that this shift would pave the way for peaceful and sustainable growth in the region.

Beyond security, Kalu emphasized the immense potential of the South-East in various industries, notably the creative sector. He suggested creating an 'Eastern Valley' innovation hub, inspired by Silicon Valley, to harness and nurture tech talents within the region. This prospective hub would ideally bolster not only the South-East but also Nigeria's position on the global innovation map.

Kalu's call to action reflects a blend of urgent political negotiation and a strategic vision for long-term development. He sees President Tinubu's commitment to the South-East as a promising start and believes that freeing Kanu would be a consequential step towards achieving lasting peace and prosperity.

Author: Themba Sweet

I am a news journalist with a passion for writing about daily news in Africa. With over 20 years of experience in the field, I strive to deliver accurate and insightful stories. My work aims to inform and educate the public on the continent’s current affairs and developments.

14 Comments

DJ Paterson said:

March 15, 2025 AT 16:16

There's something deeply human about this appeal. It's not just about releasing a man-it's about releasing the possibility of peace. When you strip away the noise, Kanu's detention has become a symbol. And symbols, once broken, can either shatter a nation or heal it. I wonder if Tinubu sees this as a moral calculus, not just a political one.

History doesn't remember the laws passed; it remembers the moments when leaders chose mercy over control. This could be one of those moments.
Nikhil nilkhan said:

March 16, 2025 AT 15:54

Honestly? This makes sense. The South-East has been waiting for real investment, not just speeches. If Kanu's release opens the door for real development-schools, roads, tech hubs-then why hold onto him like a bargaining chip? He’s not a criminal, he’s a symptom. Fix the system, not the messenger.
Damini Nichinnamettlu said:

March 18, 2025 AT 08:03

This is treason dressed up as diplomacy. Kanu is a separatist who incited violence. You don’t release someone who wants to break Nigeria. This is weakness masquerading as wisdom. The SEDC is good, but not at the cost of national unity.
Vinod Pillai said:

March 18, 2025 AT 10:45

Let me be clear: releasing Kanu is surrender. You can’t negotiate with terrorists. The IPOB has killed police officers, bombed infrastructure, and terrorized civilians. This isn’t politics-it’s capitulation. The SEDC is a distraction. Focus on security first, then talk.
Avantika Dandapani said:

March 19, 2025 AT 11:22

I feel this so deeply. The South-East has been ignored for too long. Kanu’s voice, however controversial, is the voice of a generation that feels erased. What if we stopped seeing him as an enemy and started seeing him as a lost brother? What if we built that Eastern Valley not just for tech, but for healing?

I’m crying thinking about it. Imagine kids in Enugu coding while listening to Fela, not fearing raids. That’s the future we’re talking about.
Ayushi Dongre said:

March 21, 2025 AT 11:11

The conceptual framework underlying this proposal is predicated upon a hermeneutic of reconciliation as a precondition for structural development. The SEDC, as an institutional mechanism, remains structurally incomplete without the symbolic legitimization conferred by the release of a contested political figure. The dialectic between authority and legitimacy is here inescapable.
rakesh meena said:

March 22, 2025 AT 17:14

Release him and let the real work begin. No more excuses. No more delays. The East is ready. The nation needs it. Do it now
sandeep singh said:

March 23, 2025 AT 04:04

This is exactly what the enemies of Nigeria want. You think Kanu will just sit quietly? He’ll use this to rally more militias. You’re handing him a megaphone and calling it peace. This isn’t leadership-it’s naivety wrapped in a suit.
Sumit Garg said:

March 23, 2025 AT 19:28

Let’s be honest-this whole thing is a distraction. The real power brokers don’t care about the South-East. They’re using the SEDC to launder their corruption under the guise of development. Kanu’s detention? A convenient scapegoat. The real issue? The same elites who’ve bled the East dry for 60 years. They don’t want peace-they want control.
Sneha N said:

March 24, 2025 AT 16:34

I just… I can’t. 🥹 Imagine if your child was raised hearing only one side of the story-of injustice, of erasure, of silence. And now, someone says, ‘Just forgive.’ But forgiveness without justice? That’s not peace. That’s a wound dressed in silk. I’m not crying because I’m weak. I’m crying because I see the truth.
Manjunath Nayak BP said:

March 25, 2025 AT 02:57

You people are missing the entire picture. Kanu’s not even the real problem. The real issue is the British colonial map that forced these ethnic groups into one country. Nigeria was never meant to be a nation-it was a corporate merger. The SEDC? A Band-Aid on a hemorrhage. And now you want to release Kanu like he’s a saint? He’s just the tip of the iceberg. The real revolution is coming, and it won’t be peaceful. You think the Igbo will stop fighting because someone signed a bill? They’ve been fighting since 1967. This is just the beginning of the end.
Tulika Singh said:

March 26, 2025 AT 11:23

I don’t know if releasing him is right. But I know holding him isn’t working. Maybe we need to try something different-even if it’s scary.
naresh g said:

March 26, 2025 AT 21:50

Wait, so you’re saying that releasing a man who’s been charged with treason, incitement, sedition, terrorism, and multiple counts of unlawful assembly, will somehow magically fix insecurity? And you think the SEDC-created after decades of neglect-will now be funded properly? Who’s paying for it? Who’s auditing it? And what happens when the next ‘Kanu’ emerges? This isn’t policy-it’s wishful thinking with a PowerPoint deck.
Brajesh Yadav said:

March 27, 2025 AT 08:05

This is the most beautiful thing I’ve read all year 🥺💖 I’m not Nigerian, but I feel this in my soul. Imagine a world where leaders choose love over fear. Imagine a child in Aba growing up knowing they’re not an enemy. That’s the dream. That’s the Eastern Valley. That’s the future. I’m sharing this with everyone I know. ❤️🔥