Benjamin Kalu, the Deputy Speaker has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to exercise his prerogative of mercy and temper justice with compassion by facilitating the release of Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
Kalu made the appeal while addressing reporters after the inaugural meeting of the House of Representatives committee on South East Development Commission (SEDC) at the National Assembly complex in Abuja on Wednesday.
The Deputy Speaker applauded the President for his continuous and tremendous support and commitment towards peace, development and stability of the South-East region.
According to him, since assuming office, President Tinubu has proven his love for the South-Easterners through his speedy assent to the South East Development Commission Bill which failed in previous assemblies.
The Deputy Speaker suggested the adoption of political approach in resolving the crisis in the region rather than the current legal option, adding that the people of the region will be eternally grateful to the President if that becomes a reality.
While expressing optimism that the President will heed to their appeal, he said when Kanu is released insecurity in the region will be reduced and as well spring up development that the SEDC is going to bring.
He said: “Only President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was able to put his feet down to say that the South East remains parts and parcel of Nigeria. It failed in previous assemblies but when it got to him, he assented to it.
“We are very happy because we know that certain areas of our problems in the region will be prioritised such as agriculture, energy, power, infrastructure, technology we are very innovative people.
“All we need is the support of government to project the innovative mindedness of the young folks in that region to benefit the entire federation. The next one is the creative industry, how do we look at that, sports, entertainment, to take it from where it is to where it ought to be.
“In agriculture the whole nine yards, in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda on Food Security, that’s what we are looking at. What’s happening with these talents, can’t we have something like silicon valley in the east? We can call it eastern valley, a hub where you creative minds will come together.
“These are areas we are looking at, with a lot of technology in place, development will spring up. We are thankful to Mr President for doing this for the South-East, you know insecurity is a major concern in the area. You can’t have development in midst of insecurity.
“That’s why we started what we call peace in South-East project supported by the parliament. But in doing so we noticed that the insecurity there will be reduced if Nnamdi Kanu is released. We want Nnamdi Kanu to be released because we know it will give our people more security.
“Those who are using him as excuses to perpetrate all these criminal actions around our area will have no other reason to be on the street. Then the police and security agencies will catch anyone who claims Nnamdi Kanu is the reason for causing harm to the people of South-East.
“So, we are begging, you can’t coarse the President, he’s the Commander in Chief. All we are saying is use political approach not the legal approach. We are appealing to him to temper justice with mercy and release Nnamdi Kanu to southeast people. It will ensure more security for our people and spring up development that this SEDC is going to bring.”
