Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, has expressed optimism about the imminent release of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
Kalu made this known during a meeting with the South East Legislators Forum in Abuja on Thursday.
The forum, led by Kingsley Ikoro, Majority Leader of the Ebonyi State House of Assembly, gathered lawmakers from various South-East State Houses of Assembly to discuss pressing issues affecting the region.
Addressing the legislators, Kalu revealed that high-level negotiations with key authorities were ongoing to facilitate Kanu’s release.
He assured them that positive outcomes from these behind-the-scenes discussions would soon become evident.
“I am fighting for Mazi Nnamdi Kanu to come out. Very soon, it will happen. Please, keep us in your prayers,” Kalu said.
The Deputy Speaker also urged the legislators to unite for the development of the South-East, stressing the importance of collaboration and solidarity.
He noted that disunity within the region had led to missed opportunities, adding that unity and growth go hand in hand.
“The power of networking is more than money. Unity is power. We hardly recognise our own and we lose a lot of things because of it. We need to end the sit-at-home, people are destroying themselves. We need to come to together. The power of unity, the power of growth is important,” Kalu stated.
Kalu further advocated for the establishment of the South East Development Commission (SEDC), urging lawmakers to rally behind the proposal.
He dispelled claims that President Tinubu was against the initiative and called for support to revive the “3Rs” agenda — Reconstruction, Rehabilitation, and Reintegration — for the South-East.
Speaking on constitutional reforms, Kalu announced plans for a zonal public hearing on constitutional amendments in the first and second quarters of the coming year.
He encouraged South-East legislators to actively participate, share ideas, and create a unified legislative agenda.
He also commended the lawmakers for visiting the Federal House, describing it as an opportunity to enhance their legislative skills and strengthen their influence.
“I want to also commend you for leaving your various Houses of Assembly to come to the Federal House for exposure. It will help you.
“The benefits are many. It will make your legislative activities to be robust. It will help you to speak from the point of knowledge.
“On the proposed zonal public hearing, we will want you to support what we are doing in the process of amending the Constitution. We are thinking of starting in first and second quarter of next year.
“As members of the South East Legislative Forum, you need to be strong and have a common legislative agenda. Birth an idea and think of how we can utilise it.
“And that is why I want you to support the SEDC. Some people have said that the President said he wasn’t going to do it. They abandoned the 3Rs. Let’s support the president. We will build capacity,” Kalu stated.
Nnamdi Kanu has been in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) since June 2021. His arrest in Kenya and subsequent extraordinary rendition to Nigeria sparked global outcry.
He is currently facing charges of treason, with many stakeholders calling for his release amid rising tensions in the South-East.