President of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Comrade Atiku Isa, has weighed into the case of detained leader of the Indigenous People’s of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, stating that his release is a vital step toward national healing, unity, and effective governance.
Isa in an interview on Symfoni TV, also said that the former presidential candidate of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), Rabiu Kwankwaso pledged to mobilise political support for President Bola Tinubu if Kanu’s trial is discontinued.
Isa quoted Kwankwaso as saying, “Let the case of Kanu be discontinued, and I’ll move across the North to campaign for Tinubu.”
This, he stated, underscored the former governor’s willingness to leverage on his influence in the northern region to support the president.
He added that Kwankwaso, being close to the presidency, would use his access to appeal to President Tinubu to ensure Kanu’s release, framing it as a move to foster national unity and reduce tensions in the Southeast.
Isa who said he had a meeting with Kwankwaso, highlighted the political and social importance of resolving Kanu’s detention.
He noted that Kanu commands unmatched loyalty in the South East, adding that his prolonged detention risks further unrest in the zone.
Isa described Kanu as a courageous and principled leader whose influence extends across ethnic and religious lines, making his release crucial for peace and stability in the country.
He also pointed out that the pledge from Kwankwaso demonstrates that political leaders recognise the broader national implications of the case.
“By discontinuing Kanu’s trial, the government would not only address grievances in the South East but also gain crucial political goodwill in the North, bridging regional divides,” the NANS president stated.
He appealed to President Tinubu to act on this opportunity for reconciliation, emphasising that leaders like Kwankwaso stand ready to support peaceful nation-building.
