Use Political Solution: Onoh Pleads With Tinubu to Release Nnamdi Kanu
- Nigeria News
- 26.09.2025
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Use Political Solution: Onoh Pleads With Tinubu to Release Nnamdi Kanu
Denge Josef Onoh, the former spokesman of President Bola Tinubu in the Southeast, has called on the President to adopt a political solution rather than “legal fireworks” in the ongoing case involving Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
Onoh emphasized that President Tinubu has the constitutional authority to end the protracted legal battle through diplomacy and political measures. He urged the President to use his powers under Section 174 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) to grant nolle prosequi or other discretionary remedies to secure Kanu’s unconditional release.
In response to Onoh’s remarks, IPOB spokesman Emma Powerful clarified that the group was not obstructing justice. Instead, he attributed Kanu’s continued detention to legal irregularities and procedural defects by the Nigerian government, emphasizing the need for adherence to constitutional safeguards and the rule of law.
Onoh described IPOB’s response as a sign of integrity and willingness to embrace dialogue rather than violence. He stressed that IPOB’s tone signals an open door for constructive conversation, provided leaders like President Tinubu approach the issue with sincerity.
According to Onoh, IPOB highlighted several legal flaws in Kanu’s trial, including:
- Kanu’s previous discharge and acquittal, making any retrial a violation of Section 36(9) of the Constitution on double jeopardy.
- The reliance on the repealed Terrorism Prevention (Amended) Act 2013, superseded by later legislation, rendering the case constitutionally untenable.
- The misuse of civil ex parte orders to establish criminal liability, contravening Section 36’s right to fair hearing.
- The lack of cross-border procedural approvals for Kanu’s rendition, which further undermines the trial’s validity.
To underscore the viability of a political solution, Onoh cited the recent example at the United Nations General Assembly, where Ahmed al-Sharaa (formerly Abu Mohammad al-Jolani), once a most-wanted terrorist leader in Syria, was granted a platform as Syria’s transitional president despite his past. This, Onoh argued, shows how pragmatic diplomacy can transcend persecution and promote stability.
Onoh reminded President Tinubu of his inclusive political history, including appointing a regional spokesman during his campaign—a bold gesture that demonstrated his willingness to listen and address the grievances of the Southeast. He urged the President to apply the same political dialogue that resolved protracted crises in Rivers State to the case of Nnamdi Kanu.
Onoh criticized what he described as a double standard in the government’s negotiations. He noted that while negotiations continue with terrorist bandits in the North and olive branches are extended to them, Kanu—a non-violent agitator—remains in detention under questionable legal circumstances. This disparity, he said, fuels despair in the Southeast.
Onoh passionately pleaded for Kanu’s release to respected figures such as Iyom Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu and Senator John Azuta-Mbata, President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo. He urged that if an immediate release was not possible, Kanu should at least be allowed to spend Christmas with his family and visit his late father’s grave.
By advocating for a political solution, Onoh believes President Tinubu can ignite hope and pave the way for broader reconciliation in the Southeast. He emphasized that this moment presents an opportunity for the President to demonstrate visionary leadership and uphold justice while fostering national unity.
