A group of 44 members of Nigeria’s House of Representatives have written to President Bola Tinubu, demanding the release of detained IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu.
The lawmakers, drawn from different parties and regions, said Kanu’s continued detention is worsening insecurity in the southeast.
“We believe his release will calm tensions and open the door for dialogue,” they wrote in the letter.
They argued that political solutions, not endless trials, are needed to address separatist agitations.
The letter was signed by lawmakers including Obinna Aguocha, Ikenga Ugochinyere, and several others across party lines.
The legislators reminded Tinubu that previous administrations had used political settlements to resolve similar crises. They want him to show leadership by granting freedom to Kanu, who has been in custody since 2021 after his extradition from Kenya.
They also warned that continued detention could fuel unrest and economic losses in the region. “We are convinced that dialogue is the path to peace,” they insisted.
Kanu is due for sentencing on Thursday, November 20, 2025.
Full List of Signatories
- Hon. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere
- Hon. Obi Aguocha
- Hon. Murphy Osaro
- Hon. Peter Akpanke
- Hon. Mudshiru Lukman
- Hon. Paul Nnamechi
- Hon. Barr. Sunday Cyriacus
- Hon. Obed Shehu
- Hon. Engr. Dominic
- Hon. Chief Ugwu Emmanuel
- Hon. Daniel Asama Ago
- Hon. Chike John Okafor
- Hon. Adam Ogene Ogbaru
- Hon. Emeka Martin Chinedu
- Hon. Chimaobi Sam
- Hon. Alex Mascot Ikwechegh
- Hon. Donatus Matthew
- Hon. Ibe Osonwa
- Barr. Okey‑Joe Onuakalusi
- Hon. Thaddeus Atta
- Hon. Udema H. Okonkwo
- Hon. Cyril Godwin
- Hon. Princess Chinwe Nnabuike
- Hon. Kana Nkemkama
- Hon. Peter Aniekwe
- Hon. Gwachem Maureen
- Hon. Onwunka
- Hon. Anayo Onwuegbu
- Hon. Nwobosi Joseph
- Hon. Amobi Godwin
- Hon. Blessing Amadi
- Hon. Anthony Adebayo Adepoju
- Hon. Dr. Joshua Audu Gana
- Hon. Chris Nkwonta
- Hon. Emeka Idu
- Hon. Peter Ifeanyi Uzokwe
- Hon. Matthew Nwogu
- Hon. Tochukwu Okere
- Hon. Benedict Etanabene
- Hon. Godwin Offiono
- Hon. Ngozi Okolie
- Hon. Nnamdi Ezechi
- Hon. Harrison Nwadike
- Hon. Ikenga Imo Ugochinyere (Coordinator, listed twice in some reports as lead signatory)
Text of the Lawmaker’s Letter to the President
“Dear Mr. President,
"THE NATIONAL INTEREST DRIVEN RESOLUTION BY CONCERNED FEDERAL LAWMAKERS ON THE ISSUE OF MAZI NNAMDI KANU CONTINUED DETENTION.
"After a closed-door strategic meeting of the following federal lawmakers committed to promotion of national unity and stability; and after extensive consultations across all party lines and different ethnic groups, we hereby wrote and subscribe to this Letter to Mr. President, concerning Mazi Nnamdi Kanu: Driven by the abiding and urgent need for national reconciliation and healing; and Having noted the Federal Government’s open negotiations with militants and different agitating groups in different parts of Nigeria; and in view of the insecurity that has pervaded Southeast since late 2015 and which spiked since 2021; and in the realization of the many domestic court and international tribunal pronouncements in favor of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu; and in the face of the growing national groundswell supporting the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and for the discontinuance of his prosecution.
“We, the within-named federal lawmakers, hereby respectfully and earnestly request our dear President, His Excellency, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as follows: To, as soon as practicable, direct the Attorney-General of the Federation to exercise his constitutional powers and discontinue the prosecution of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu; and To, pursuant to the discontinuance of the prosecution, initiate a constructive dialogue, aimed at seeking a just political solution of the matter.
"We are grateful to you, our dear President, for Your Excellency’s prompt consideration of our request; and please be assured of our continuing respect for your high office.”
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