A member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Alex Ikwecheghi, has said that releasing Mazi Nnamdi Kanu could bring down the rising insecurity in the South East region of Nigeria.
Hon. Ikwecheghi, who represents Aba North and Aba South federal constituencies, spoke during a fundraising event in Umuahia for the Abia Security Trust Fund. He encouraged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to listen to ongoing appeals from various groups and individuals asking for Kanu’s release.
The lawmaker explained that many people wrongly see Kanu as a criminal, but he believes Kanu is only trying to speak up for the South East people who feel ignored and treated unfairly in Nigeria.
He reminded the public that lawmakers from the South East had already appealed to the President to release Kanu. He added that setting Kanu free could help the President gain more support from the Igbo people and possibly bring more votes for him in the 2027 elections.
He said: ”South East National Assembly Caucus, headed by Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe of the Senate, and led by Hon. Idu Igariwe in the House of Reps. We have met and we have released a communique informing the President that Nnamdi Kanu is not only going to help play an integral role in bringing peace, not only in the South East, but in the country.
“We have made it very emphatic that Nnamdi Kanu is only speaking the voice of his people. Nnamdi has not committed any crime. He is not a criminal.
“Nnamdi Kanu speaks the minds of the people of Igbo land. Because the people of the South East will always tell you that we feel marginalized. And Nnamdi Kanu happens to be a voice.
”Kanu’s release will entirely diminish the issue of insecurity. And we have said it times without number. We have met with the NSA led by Alhaji Nihu Rebadu. We have pleaded with him. We have met with the Security and Intelligence Committee. Even our Northern brothers are also agitating that Nnamdi Kanu should be released.”
Hon. Ikwecheghi also said that peaceful dialogue and diplomacy would be the best way to achieve Kanu’s release, instead of force or confrontation.
“Now, we must understand that it’s one thing to be loud about these things. It’s also another thing to be strategic with it, to be diplomatic with it. The person that arrested Nnamdi Kanu was General Buhari.
“Nnamdi Kanu is not President Tinubu’s enemy. Holding him will only continue to fuel and ferment the indignation that the Igbos have against the system. Therefore, we are appealing. He’s our brother. He’s our son. Mr. President, he’s your son. Release him for us. If you release him, it will do us a lot of good.
It will do you a lot of good.
“Because Igbos will say that His Excellency, the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Ahmed Tinubu has done something for the Igbos. Something that we have clamoured for by releasing Nnamdi Kanu
And it could translate to votes.”
While speaking at the event, he praised Abia State Governor Alex Otti for creating the Security Trust Fund. He also applauded the Governor’s achievements and said Abia State has seen real progress under his leadership.
”Otti is a very intentional Governor. The issue of insecurity has been a very serious conundrum in the southeastern part of this country. Our Governor, has been proactive with the issue of insecurity. Abia is relatively safe.
“For businesses to thrive, there must be peace, there must be absolute tranquility when it comes to security. So what the Governor is doing is quite exhilarating to all of us.”
To show his own support, Hon. Ikwecheghi donated ₦20 million to the fund and promised to continue helping the state’s efforts to keep people safe.
