A group of Nigerians in the diaspora, including the Ndi Igbo in Germany, has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to grant a presidential pardon to Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). Kanu was recently sentenced to life imprisonment by a Nigerian court for terrorism-related offenses. The appeal, made in a communiqué, follows an emergency meeting of the association in Frankfurt, Germany, where members expressed concern over the potential impact of the judgment on the country’s fragile political climate.
The group, comprising Nigerians living in Germany, warned that the life sentence could exacerbate ethnic tensions and undermine democratic cohesion in Nigeria, which is already grappling with serious security and socio-political challenges. They argued that the judgment may further divide ethnic groups and worsen the nation’s political instability. The association’s National Coordinator, Benjamin Chinaka, and Secretary General, Chinasa Ezeji, jointly signed the communiqué, which urged President Tinubu to exercise his constitutional prerogative of mercy and grant a presidential pardon to Kanu.
The Ndi Igbo in Germany noted that many of Kanu’s grievances reflect the frustrations of ordinary Nigerians, particularly in the South-East, who feel economically disadvantaged, politically marginalized, and insecure within the current national structure. The group urged President Tinubu to take a magnanimous decision in the interest of national unity, peace, and stability, adding that releasing Kanu could be a pivotal step toward rebuilding trust in the Nigerian project. This appeal comes amid growing domestic and international calls for a reconciliatory approach in addressing separatist agitations and regional discontent in South-East Nigeria.
The sentencing of Kanu has sparked widespread concern, with many arguing that it may worsen the already volatile situation in the region. Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court had convicted Kanu and sentenced him to life imprisonment, after which he was transferred to the Sokoto Correctional Facility. The Ndi Igbo in Germany and other Nigerians in the diaspora are hopeful that President Tinubu will consider their appeal and grant a presidential pardon to Kanu, which could help to alleviate tensions and promote national unity. The Nigerian government is yet to respond to the appeal, but the move is seen as a significant step towards addressing the underlying issues driving separatist agitations in the country.