In an attempt to bring peace back to the South-East, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Benjamin Kalu has urged President Bola Tinubu to help free Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra who is currently in detention.
Kalu made the request on Wednesday following the House Committee on the South-East Development Commission’s first meeting at the National Assembly in Abuja.
The Deputy Speaker praised Tinubu’s steadfast support for the South-East, especially in enacting the South-East Development Commission Bill, which had failed under previous administrations, according to a statement released on Thursday by his Special Assistant on Print Affairs, Udora Orizu.
Kalu maintained that the appropriate course of action in Kanu’s case was a political one rather than a legal one, and that his release would greatly lessen regional insecurity.
We’re pleading. We cannot force the President to act as Commander-in-Chief. “We’re just saying, ‘Take a political approach instead of a legal one,'” Kalu stated.
He maintained that by releasing the IPOB leader, criminal elements would not have a reason to carry out their deadly actions.
“There will be no justification for those who say they are fighting because of Nnamdi Kanu to stay on the streets. Security services can then target anyone who is still causing danger,” he continued.
The Deputy Speaker went on to say that Tinubu’s action could reverse the slowed progress in the South-East caused by insecurity. “Development is impossible when insecurity is present.
For this reason, we started the parliamentaryly backed Peace in South-East Project. However, we’ve come to the conclusion that Kanu’s release will greatly lower insecurity,” he stated.
Additionally, Kalu commended Tinubu for his dedication to South-East development, emphasizing that his prompt approval of the SEDC Bill showed his inclusion.
The only person to firmly assert that the South-East is still an essential component of Nigeria was President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
When the bill reached him, he signed it into law even though other Assemblies were unable to pass it. We appreciate that,” Kalu said.
He asserts that the area has enormous potential in the fields of technology, sports, entertainment, and agriculture, but that in order to take advantage of these chances, federal assistance is needed.
“We need an area where young, innovative minds can congregate, similar to Silicon Valley in the East. Let’s call it Eastern Valley.” We are examining these sectors, and development will emerge with the appropriate policies,” he continued.