Abia North Senator, Orji Uzor Kalu, has reiterated his call for a political rather than purely legal approach to resolving the prolonged case involving Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). Speaking during an appearance on Sunday Politics, a Channels Television programme monitored by New Daily Prime.
Kalu argued that the complexities surrounding Kanu’s situation require a broader, dialogue-driven resolution.
His remarks follow the recent conviction of Kanu by the Federal High Court in Abuja on terrorism-related charges. This development has further polarised opinion in the South-East and across Nigeria. According to Kalu, he has been in continuous communication with the Federal Government in an effort to find a lasting solution.
“The problem of Nnamdi Kanu is what we need to solve via a political process. I have been working with the Federal Government of Nigeria on how to solve this issue, and nobody should question the decision of Justice Omotosho,” he stated.
The senator acknowledged that Kanu’s legal team would undoubtedly pursue an appeal at the Court of Appeal, but emphasised that legal manoeuvres alone may not bring lasting peace. He revealed plans to engage the Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, urging him to advise the President on adopting a political pathway to address the matter.
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Kalu, a former governor of Abia State, lamented the extensive socio-economic toll of IPOB’s activities in the South-East, claiming that countless people had lost their jobs and livelihoods as a result of the unrest. He also highlighted the lives lost in the region, stressing that such casualties—many of whom were Igbo—receive far too little attention in national discourse.
“I know the pressure I personally put on President Buhari before he was released in April 2017,” he said, referencing the efforts that led to Kanu’s earlier release from detention. He additionally recognised the roles played by Mamman Daura and former Attorney General Abubakar Malami in facilitating that development.
Kalu’s latest comments add to ongoing debates regarding the most effective and sustainable route to peace in the South-East—whether through the courts, political negotiation, or a combination of both.
As the appellate process begins, his call for dialogue is likely to fuel further national discussion on how best to address agitation, insecurity, and grievances in the region.
