The lawmakers in a statement released to journalists in Awka on Saturday, said the release of Kanu would separate genuine agitators from criminals and kidnappers as well as douse insecurity in the South-East.
Members
of the Labour Party (LP) caucus in the South-East Houses of Assembly
have called for the release of Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the
Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
Kanu has been in DSS detention since 2021 following his extradition from Kenya.
The lawmakers in a statement released to journalists in Awka on Saturday, said the release of Kanu would separate genuine agitators from criminals and kidnappers as well as douse insecurity in the South-East.
The lawmakers stated that Kanu's prolonged detention was emboldening
criminal elements posing as agitators to engage in unlawful activities.
The communique was jointly signed by the 11 lawmakers from
South-East, Jude Umennajiego, Kingsley Udemezue, Chidimma Mbachu, Nkechi
Ogbuefi, Justice Azuka, Harrison Ogara, Eze Gabriel, Malachy Onyechi,
Raymond Ugwu, Fred Ezenwa and Osita Okoh.
The communique was issued after their meeting of members of the caucus on July 10 2024.
The statement read, “We, therefore, lend our voices in appealing to President Bola Tinubu to, as a matter of urgency, release Nnamdi Kanu, so as to douse the current insecurity ravaging the South-East zone.
"This
insecurity has grounded the economy of the region and has occasioned
the unprecedented loss of human lives as well as the destruction of
property.
“His release will act as a healing balm to the region and also
encourage the feeling of oneness as a nation. Furthermore, it will
separate genuine agitators from criminals in the business of
kidnapping.”
The lawmakers also appealed to the South-East governors and their
counterparts across the country to work towards granting full financial
autonomy to the state Houses of Assembly in accordance with the
constitution and the principles of separation of powers.
"Granting full autonomy to state Houses of Assembly will go a long
way in ensuring more robust assemblies, thereby enhancing their
functionalities in the area of law-making, oversight and other attendant
legislative duties.
The statement continued, “Following the example of the Federal
Government, full financial autonomy will deepen democracy in the states
and ensure more quality and effective representation.
“That the Federal Government should ensure the quick resolution of
the current minimum wage impasse between the governments, organised
private sector and labour unions. With the current economic reality and
astronomical increment in the prices of goods and services, it would be
wrong for the government not to hearken to the voice of the NLC/TUC who
represent the voice of the suffering masses.
"Nigerians are in agony on account of the current harsh economic
situation, and the worst hit appears to be the workers, whose income is
obviously not enough under the current situation.
“We abhor the recent hasty incarceration of Hon. Bright Ngene, who is
a candidate in a rerun election in Enugu State, whose prison sentence
seemed to be politically motivated. We call on the National Judicial
Council to look into the case and ensure that justice is done. It is
surprising that even when the community, who are the complainants in the
case, opted to withdraw the case, the court still proceeded to trial
and sentenced him to jail in controversial and suspicious circumstances
without giving room for the adoption of written addresses by the
parties.
“We also appeal to the Speaker of the Enugu State House of Assembly
to as a matter of urgency ensure that in accordance with the standing
order of the House, the minority positions due to the Labour Party are
given to them without further delay. You recall that recently, some
Labour Party members decamped to the PDP, going along with them the
minority leadership positions of the Labour Party in the house. Since
you have only two parties in the house, It is only right that the Labour
Party is now in the minority and should be entitled to their minority
leadership positions.
“As the speaker, who is the father to all in the House, it is only right and just that the positions be returned to the Labour Party to ensure fairness and equity.”
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