Nigeria @64: Call For Nnamdi Kanu’s Political Pardon Intensifies

By Onoja Baba, Nigeria

As Nigeria celebrates its 64th Independence anniversary, pressure mounts on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to grant a political pardon to Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

The call, led by the Igbo socio-cultural organization Ohanaeze Ndigbo, and supported by activists and protesters across the nation, highlighted the growing demand for Kanu’s release as a step toward national reconciliation.

Aloy Ejimakor, Kanu’s lead counsel, emphasized that the push for Kanu’s release is no longer an Igbo-specific issue, but has become a pan-Nigerian cause.

He cited the demands made during the “FearlessInOctober” protests, where demonstrators called for Kanu’s unconditional release, the demilitarization of the Southeast, and the release and compensation of EndSARS and political detainees.

Posting on X (formerly Twitter), Ejimakor stated that: “The release of MAZI NNAMDI KANU is No. 5 among the demands of the #EndBadGovernanceInNigeria protests. This makes #FreeMNK a national issue, not just an Igbo affair.”

Ohanaeze Ndigbo also joined the chorus, with its National Vice President, Chief Damian Okeke-Ogene, urging President Tinubu to use the Independence Day celebration to grant Kanu a political pardon.

Okeke-Ogene stressed that Kanu’s release would help restore peace in the Southeast and identify those responsible for ongoing violence in the region, including the disruptive sit-at-home orders.

“We call on the President to seize this opportunity to grant pardon to our son, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. His release will foster peace, unity, and national harmony,” Okeke-Ogene said in an interview in Awka.

The ongoing legal battle took another turn when Justice Binta Nyako of the Abuja Federal High Court stepped down from Kanu’s case following his expression of no confidence in her handling of the matter.