Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, representing Bayelsa West and a former governor of Bayelsa State, has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to initiate a political solution following the conviction of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
In a statement titled “Nnamdi Kanu: The Imperative of a Political Solution”, released on Tuesday, Dickson argued that legal processes alone cannot resolve separatist agitations, stressing that only a broad peace initiative can restore calm and foster national unity.
Dickson joined voices from the South East and across Nigeria in calling for Kanu’s release under terms that would end violence and reintegrate the region.
“This is not just for the people of the South East; I believe that this is a sentiment shared by all well‑meaning Nigerians who want a united, peaceful, and just nation for all,” he said.
The senator condemned attacks on security officers and civilians, noting that both the South East and northern Nigeria have suffered from insurgency and banditry.
He emphasized that sympathy must remain with victims of violence, while leaders must seek solutions beyond punitive measures.
Lessons from Mandela, Boro, and Amnesty
Dickson drew parallels with global and Nigerian history, citing Nelson Mandela’s 27‑year imprisonment and Isaac Adaka Boro’s separatist struggle. He noted that genuine progress only emerged when leaders embraced political dialogue over repression.
He recalled the Yar’Adua/Jonathan administration’s peace process in the Niger Delta, which birthed the Presidential Amnesty Programme and brought relative stability.
He also referenced General Yakubu Gowon’s pardon of Boro and his comrades, who later fought for Nigeria during the civil war. “That was leadership, vision, and broad‑mindedness,” Dickson said.
The senator called on President Tinubu to act not just as a politician but as a statesman.
“With this conviction and sentencing, irrespective of the outcome of appellate processes, the President should begin a peace process that will get Nnamdi Kanu and the tendency he represents to renounce violence,” he stated.
Dickson argued that Tinubu, given his history in NADECO and the Alliance for Democracy, is well‑positioned to champion restructuring and inclusiveness. He pledged full support for any initiative that addresses historical grievances and builds a fairer Nigeria.
Security and Custody Concerns
Amid ongoing insecurity, Dickson advised government agencies to ensure Kanu’s safety and humane treatment while legal and political processes unfold.
He warned against opening new battlefronts that could overstretch security forces already combating terrorism and banditry in the North.
The senator assured Tinubu of his support in mobilizing national resources and working with allies to counter jihadist attacks and ransom‑driven banditry.
Dickson urged Igbo youths to remain calm and embrace political processes that could deliver a restructured Nigeria. He revealed that, as Chairman of the South‑South Senate Caucus, he has begun reaching out to colleagues in the South East and across the country to ensure constructive steps are taken.
“As everyone knows, I am available for any engagement that can lead to a restructured Nigeria that will work for all,” he concluded.
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