Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, representing Abia South, has expressed optimism that President Bola Tinubu will release Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). Abaribe described Tinubu as a leader who listens and believes the president will take the necessary steps to address the growing insecurity and economic challenges in the Southeast.
Speaking to reporters after a meeting with Abia State Governor Alex Otti, Abaribe emphasized the urgent need for Tinubu to act on the advice of the Attorney General and other voices advocating for Kanu’s release. He pointed out that Kanu’s prolonged detention has inadvertently allowed criminals and violent elements to exploit his name to perpetuate chaos in the region.
Abaribe highlighted the escalating issues in the Southeast, including the insurgency and the disruptive Monday sit-at-home orders, which have crippled economic activities. He argued that Kanu’s release would play a pivotal role in restoring peace and reestablishing the Southeast as Nigeria’s hub of production.
The senator linked the resolution of these challenges to the region’s ability to thrive economically. Referring to ongoing Tax Reform Bills before the National Assembly, Abaribe stated, “You cannot tax people who don’t produce.” He stressed that lifting the economic burdens in the Southeast requires freeing Kanu to end the insecurity and foster growth.
To demonstrate commitment, Abaribe pledged that political leaders in the region are prepared to stand as guarantors for Kanu’s release. He called on Tinubu to take decisive action, expressing confidence that such a move would reinvigorate the Southeast and drive out criminal elements, kidnappers, and cultists currently destabilizing the area.
“We continue to call on President Tinubu to release Nnamdi Kanu,” Abaribe concluded. “This act will not only bring life back to the Southeast but also reclaim it from the grip of dangerous elements.”
