The Southeast Caucus of the House of Representatives has urged President Bola Tinubu to invoke his constitutional authority and grant a political and humanitarian pardon to the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
The appeal followed an emergency meeting in Abuja on Monday, where the lawmakers reviewed the recent court judgment sentencing Kanu to life imprisonment and assessed its wider implications for stability in the Southeast and the nation.
In a statement released after the meeting, the Caucus said that while it respects the court’s decision and the processes leading to Kanu’s conviction, his case has evolved beyond a purely legal matter, becoming a national challenge that now requires a political remedy.
They noted that the continued detention of the IPOB leader has intensified tension in the region, fuelling agitation and frequent disruptions to social and economic activities. According to them, despite persistent calls for calm, anxiety remains high across many communities.
“An act of presidential mercy at this critical moment has the potential to calm nerves, restore normalcy and reduce the recurring cycle of security operations and civil unrest,” the statement read.
The lawmakers added that Kanu’s incarceration has brought emotional hardship and economic strain to families and communities, citing repeated market shutdowns, interruptions in schooling, reduced commercial activity and an overarching atmosphere of fear.
The Caucus argued that Section 175 of the Constitution, which empowers the President to grant a pardon, was designed for moments requiring political wisdom and national healing, especially when the strict application of law cannot by itself resolve deep-rooted tensions.
“A gesture of clemency would signal fairness and statesmanship, and could help create the environment needed for dialogue between the Federal Government, regional leaders and community stakeholders,” the lawmakers said. “It would also support long-term efforts toward peace.”
They appealed to residents of the Southeast to remain law-abiding and calm as efforts continue to pursue a peaceful resolution. The lawmakers reaffirmed their commitment to collaborating with the Federal Government to strengthen national unity and stability.
Kanu was sentenced to life imprisonment last week after being arraigned by the Department of State Services on charges of terrorism and treasonable felony. He has since been transferred to a prison facility in Sokoto State.
