The Ayo Adebanjo-led Afenifere, a leading Yoruba socio-political organisation, has called on President Bola Tinubu to immediately order the release of Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), describing him as a political detainee.
In a communiqué signed by its Deputy Leader, Oba Oladipo Olaitan, after a meeting at the Isanya Ogbo residence of its leader, Pa Ayo Adebanjo, the group said Kanu’s continued detention is unjustifiable and urged the president to take swift action.
“From all circumstances, particularly since his abduction in 2021 and rendition to Nigeria and since then subjected to controversial and conflicting legal proceedings in different courts by which his fair trial may no longer be guaranteed in the opinion of reasonable members of the public, it is clear that Nnamdi Kanu is indubitably a political detainee,” the communiqué stated.
It further stressed that Kanu’s detention without trial is a violation of justice and national reconciliation efforts.
“In the interest of justice and national reconciliation, Afenifere urges President Tinubu to release Nnamdi Kanu forthwith. There is no justifiable reason to continue to keep him in detention without trial,” the group declared.
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Beyond the call for Kanu’s release, Afenifere also expressed deep concerns over the state of insecurity in Nigeria, stating that the situation remains as dire as it was under the previous administration.
The group called on President Tinubu to take bold, decisive, and ideological steps to secure the country and protect the lives and property of Nigerians.
Referencing the recent alarm raised by Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, over the influx of bandits into the South-West, the group reiterated its demand for restructuring as a long-term solution to the country’s security challenges.
“Nigeria, with its vast territory, population and as a federation, cannot be effectively and meaningfully secured with a single command unitary police structure, thus the need for the restructuring to ensure immediate constitutional institutionalization of state police,” the communiqué read.
During the meeting, Barrister Dele Farotimi was appointed as the group’s National Organising Secretary, reinforcing Afenifere’s commitment to strengthening its leadership and structure.
The meeting was presided over by Deputy Leader, Oba Oladipo Olaitan, and had in attendance prominent figures from the six South-West states, as well as Kogi and Kwara.
Some of the notable attendees included: Former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Senator Kofoworola Bucknor-Akerele, Secretary General, Chief Sola Ebiseni, Chief Akin Osuntokun, Professor Akin Onigbinde, Elder Tola Mobolurin, Dr. Gbola Adetuji, Olorogun Pop Ayo-Banjo, National Publicity Secretary, Prince Justice Faloye
Afenifere’s resolutions reaffirm its long-standing stance on national unity, justice, and security, while maintaining its call for restructuring as the only sustainable solution to Nigeria’s governance challenges.
