WE ARE LOBBYING FG TO SECURE RELEASE OF NNAMDI KANU -KALU, DEPUTY SPEAKER 02-04-24
By Sadiq Aminu The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Mr. Benjamin Kalu has revealed that frantic efforts are ongoing to secure the release of the leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
Mr. Kalu, said that while the court processes are ongoing, political solutions are being worked out.
Speaking at the a special programme via virtual, the Deputy Speaker explained that it was deliberate to work behind the scene to realize the objective.
The Deputy Speaker calls for a non kinetic measure to resolve the security challenges in the South East.
Mr. KALU while calling for support for the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Deputy Speaker also hinted of a likely visit by the elders of Igbo land to engage President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on familiar issues affecting the South East.
“The Peace in South East Project (PISE-P) has reconcilation in the mix of what we are trying to achieve. We recognize the importance of our brother, Nnamdi Kanu in the peace agenda we are pushing. That’s the truth. And I have been very vocal about it. I am not hiding it. I have always told people that I will never deny Nnamdi Kanu. He’s my brother. We come from the same place and I will never be happy having him incarcerated when we can have him out and increase our pursuit towards peace. But we may not advance all the things we are doing backdoor but I can assure you that all the powers-that-be in this country know that people like us are not sitting on the fence”
“We cannot go about this before the court. I am more interested in using a political solution towards resolving this. So, I am asking for one or two things from the federal government.
Mr. Kalu said the last time he was with the Mr. President, he discussed with Mr. President on the need for the elders of Igbo land to come, sit and engage with him.
“He said while the court is doing what they are doing, he will not truncate legal processes but some of us are not afraid to identify with him and to ask for him to be released. Any other thing can follow up after that”
“Burning things down is not how we show our strength. How we show our strength is that when we enter your community, we make wealth to better our lives. That’s our strength.
“I am happy he sounded that warning. I am happy we are coming together to achieve it. And I want to thank the people. Since we launched this programme about 4 months now, there is a little bit of peace and it is the combined effort of everyone coming together, understanding that it is true we need peace. Let’s be calm. Let’s support this government. And I want to thank the people of the south east for not joining the protest. I want to thank Ohaneze Ndi Igbo for sending out messages and saying no, we should not protest too. Number one reason: The President from the south. He didn’t create the problem. He’s also giving us appointments. So, we must give him the support.
“As we are asking Mr. President to release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu for us and giving us South East Development Commission, we must on the other show him loyalty by making sure that there is peace in our area. No violence, support his government.”
Speaking on the present state of the South East Development Commission Bill, Kalu said that the piece of legislation is at the conference committee stage where some issues regarding the confirmation of the commissioners are being resolved.