The member representing Ikwuano, Umuahia North, and Umuahia South Federal Constituency of Abia State in the House of Representatives, Hon. Obi Aguocha, has met with former President Muhammadu Buhari at his country home in Daura, Katsina State, over the release of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu from detention.
The lawmaker sought Buhari’s intervention and support for a political dialogue and constructive engagement that could engender a resolution of the salient issues surrounding the continued detention of Kanu to facilitate and lead his release on pragmatic national reconciliation considerations.
While apologising to Buhari on behalf of the detainee, he said, “For the missteps, utterances, and ill gestures of the past, especially on the part of my constituent and brother, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, I am deeply sorry.”
Aguocha also expressed the belief that a political resolution would address the grievances of parties on all sides and promote greater understanding and unity within the country.
In response, Buhari welcomed Aguocha and commended his humility and dedication to serving his people.
He assured him that his approach was welcomed and that he would not oppose any political solution to Kanu’s release.
Aguocha recently led a group of 50 lawmakers across the political and ethnic divides to sign a letter appealing to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to direct the attorney-general and minister of justice of the federation, Lateef Fegbemi, SAN, to invoke section 174(1)(c) of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic as amended and section 107 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, in setting the pathway to reaching the desired outcome.
The meeting was part of a broad-based initiative aimed at securing a speedy political resolution of the issues surrounding Kanu’s detention and trial and securing his subsequent release in the spirit of engendering dialogue and non-contentious approaches to resolving thorny national issues.
“This is in the understanding that Kanu is willing, ready and able to embrace the new dynamic in joining hands across the country in building a new Nigeria where peace, equity, justice and prosperity shall reign,” a statement from the lawmaker said.