Before the last Nigerian presidential election win of May 29, 2023, I wrote in this same forum that Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu had the capacity and democratic pedigree to lead Nigeria. That view was grounded in his role in Nigeria’s pro-democracy struggles, especially during the military regime of General Sani Abacha. Today, I appeal to President Tinubu to reaffirm those values by helping to resolve the protracted case of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu—not by force, but through justice and statesmanship.
President Tinubu has the constitutional authority, under Section 174 of the amended 1999 Nigerian Constitution, to direct the Attorney-General of the Federation to discontinue the prosecution of Kanu. Doing so would not only affirm Nigeria’s commitment to liberty and democracy but also reinforce the President’s legacy as a unifier and democratic leader.
Nigeria continues to seek national stability and economic progress. Yet, the prolonged detention of Nnamdi Kanu remains a source of grievance, particularly for Ndigbo and all Nigerians who believe in the principle of due process. Kanu’s continued confinement—after his controversial extradition from Kenya, which the Nigerian Court of Appeal ruled illegal—raises fundamental questions about justice and constitutionalism. The decision of the Supreme Court to uphold his prosecution despite this illegal rendition has only deepened public concern. Legal justification, however, is not always synonymous with justice.
President Tinubu, perhaps more than any other Nigerian leader today, understands the price of challenging unjust power. As a former pro-democracy activist who endured exile and personal loss, he once said, “Democracy is more than just holding elections; it is a way of life that includes freedom of speech, liberty, and peaceful transitions of power.” Those words must now be matched with action.
While Kanu’s critical and intelligent analyses of the Nigerian condition may have been provocative, he cannot be credibly classified as a terrorist by any internationally recognized standard. His continued detention has had far-reaching consequences for the Southeast. According to a 2025 report by SBM Intelligence, economic losses in the region have exceeded ₦7.6 trillion due to disruptions caused by weekly sit-at-home protests. These actions, initially symbolic, have morphed into insecurity and violence, hijacked by criminal elements and sponsored militias with deadly weapons who now exploit the unrest and slaughter our people with impunity.
Calls for a political resolution are not a new phenomenon. Deputy Speaker Hon. Benjamin Kalu has publicly noted ongoing efforts to secure Kanu’s release. Legal bodies, such as Otu Oka-Iwu Abuja (a group of Igbo lawyers in Abuja), argue that Kanu’s prolonged incarceration undermines not only constitutional safeguards but also national cohesion. These voices, while commendable, need stronger amplification by Ndigbo and all Nigerians who believe in justice for all.
Importantly, all Nigerians—regardless of region or faith—deserve to live in safety, practice their religion freely, and pursue economic prosperity without fear. Armed guerrillas who prey on peaceful citizens should have no place in our communities. Protecting our people requires a strategic overhaul of our security architecture, and this begins with visionary leadership at the top.
Effective justice must be proportional and fair; often, reconciliation is the higher path.
President Tinubu has recently demonstrated moral leadership through symbolic actions, such as the posthumous pardon of Ken Saro-Wiwa and the Ogoni Nine. Other agitators, like Asari Dokubo and Sunday Igboho, have benefited from political resolutions. Kanu deserves the same consideration. As Cesare Beccaria argued in On Crimes and Punishments, effective justice must be proportional and fair; often, reconciliation is the higher path.
But national leadership must be matched by regional responsibility. Southeast political, academic, and civic leaders must speak out—firmly but constructively—for fairness and justice. This is not a call for separatism, but for equity and reform. Regional policing mechanisms improved economic opportunities, and safeguarding local communities is critical to long-term peace.
Civil society groups, such as Ohanaeze Ndigbo and women’s associations, should revive the spirit of past activism—like that of the brave Aba Women’s Riot of 1929—to protect their communities and demand accountability. Injustice to one region weakens the nation’s unity. Kanu himself has lamented a leadership vacuum in the Southeast. This moment presents an opportunity to fill that void with strategic advocacy and a strong partnership with the federal government. The release of Nnamdi Kanu can be a symbol of renewed trust, national healing, and the restoration of democratic ideals. It would send a message that Nigeria’s strength lies not in repression but in dialogue, inclusion, and justice.
Mr. President, respectfully, grant Nnamdi Kanu a political resolution anchored in justice and mercy. Such an act will soften hearts, restore hope, and affirm your place in history as a leader who chose unity over division. It will demonstrate that you are, indeed, the wise father of the nation. In the Chancery Court and the Amalatocracy Court, a father strives to love and protect all his children equally. The recent violence against the Ndigbo and other Nigerians is a serious concern that must be addressed with urgency. As previously discussed, you possess the unique authority to lead meaningful reforms in our nation’s security management. By doing so, you can help foster an environment (with security overseers loyal to your administration) where peace, fairness, and stability flourish, thereby promoting Nigerian unity.
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■ Dr. Onwudiwe, a Professor of Criminology at Texas Southern University, is on the EDITORIAL BOARD of the WAP
