ABUJA, Nigeria (FN) — Nigerian Senator Ned Nwoko has urged President Bola Tinubu’s administration to release detained separatist leader Nnamdi Kanu, arguing that doing so would help restore peace and stability to the troubled South-East region.
Speaking in an interview on Sunday, Nwoko, who represents Delta North Senatorial District, said Kanu’s prolonged detention has worsened mistrust and deepened insecurity in the region. “Nnamdi Kanu has been in custody for some time now. I believe that he has been held unjustly,” the senator said. “Releasing him will calm tensions and open the door for reconciliation and national unity.”
Nwoko also renewed calls for the creation of an additional state in the South-East, insisting that the imbalance in Nigeria’s federal structure has fueled agitation. “The South-East is the only region with five states. Giving it a sixth state will correct the injustice and make the people feel truly included,” he said.
A senior official in the Ministry of Justice, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the government was “open to political dialogue” but added that national security remained a priority. “The President has emphasized peace through constitutional means. The courts will determine Kanu’s case, not emotions or public pressure,” the official said.
Meanwhile, Minister of Information Mohammed Idris said the federal government “acknowledges the concerns raised by leaders like Senator Nwoko” but stressed that “the matter is before the judiciary, and due process must take its course.”
Nwoko’s remarks sparked mixed reactions across the South-East and on social media. Many residents and community leaders praised the senator for taking a bold stand. “He has spoken the truth many politicians are afraid to say,” said Chief Ifeanyi Nwaka, a community leader in Anambra State. “The South-East cannot truly heal while Kanu remains behind bars.”
Younger residents in Enugu and Imo expressed similar sentiments, saying the government’s hard-line approach had only fueled anger and alienation. “Every Monday, we still suffer from the sit-at-home orders. If his release can stop this, then it’s time,” said Chinedu Okafor, a trader in Enugu.
However, not everyone agreed. Some political commentators warned that freeing Kanu could embolden separatists and weaken the government’s authority. “If you release him without addressing the root causes of secessionist sentiment, you risk validating extremism,” said political analyst Grace Ekanem.
Several human rights groups and traditional rulers have echoed Nwoko’s appeal for dialogue, urging Tinubu to adopt a political solution rather than a purely legal one. “Nigeria has more to gain from peace than from prolonged confrontation,” said a statement by the Civil Liberties Forum.
The senator said he was confident that with fairness and inclusion, the South-East could be fully reintegrated into Nigeria’s political and economic system. “The time has come for healing. Releasing Nnamdi Kanu is not a sign of weakness but of strength and justice,” he said.
Kanu, who leads the banned Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has been detained since 2021 after being extradited to Nigeria. He faces multiple charges including treason, which he denies. His continued detention has been linked to waves of violence, protests, and weekly shutdowns that have paralyzed the region.
As debate over his fate intensifies, pressure continues to mount on the Tinubu government to balance justice, security, and reconciliation in one of Nigeria’s most politically sensitive crises.
