A former Lagos State legislator has called on Nigerian President Bola Tinubu to release Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the pro-independence group Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), arguing that clemency could ease tensions in the country’s volatile southeastern region and foster political goodwill. Jude Idimogu, who previously represented Oshodi-Isolo Constituency II and serves as deputy leader of the Igbo caucus within Lagos’ ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), made the appeal in an interview with Nigeria’s News Agency (NAN) on Sunday.
Kanu, who leads IPOB’s campaign for an independent Biafra state, was arrested in Kenya in 2021 and extradited to Nigeria, where he faces trial on charges including treason and terrorism. His prolonged detention has fueled unrest in the southeast, a region grappling with frequent violence linked to separatist agitators and criminal networks. Idimogu asserted that Kanu’s release could weaken groups exploiting his imprisonment to justify attacks. “Miscreants are using his name to cause mayhem,” he said. “Freeing him would de-escalate tensions and revive the economy.”
The former lawmaker framed the appeal as both a security imperative and a strategic political move ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections. He urged Igbo leaders, state governors, and “all well-meaning Nigerians” to lobby Tinubu, suggesting the gesture could bolster the APC’s popularity in the southeast, where the party has historically struggled for support. “If the president grants this pardon, the southeast will never forget him,” Idimogu said, emphasizing the region’s economic significance. He highlighted how insecurity had stifled commerce in an area traditionally known for trade, stating, “Businesses have stagnated. Restoring stability would reignite livelihoods.”
While not explicitly addressing Kanu’s legal status, Idimogu advocated for a “political solution” to the case, appealing to Tinubu’s “compassionate heart.” The call reflects growing debates over how to address separatist grievances in the southeast, where IPOB’s operations—including enforced sit-at-home orders—have disrupted daily life. Critics accuse the group of violence, though its supporters deny targeting civilians.
Analysts note that Kanu’s release could temporarily calm the region but risks emboldening separatist demands. For Tinubu, who has prioritized national unity amid economic reforms, the decision carries weighty political and security implications. Idimogu’s appeal underscores the complex interplay between Nigeria’s legal frameworks, regional stability, and electoral dynamics—a balancing act increasingly under scrutiny as the 2027 polls draw closer.
