Nnamdi Kanu’s freedom recipe for lasting peace in Southeast – Reps panel

The newly constituted House of Representatives Committee on the South East Development Commission (SEDC) insists that the release of Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), remains the recipe for the return of lasting peace and development in the region.

Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Chris Nkwonta, who spoke during the inaugural meeting of the committee at the National Assembly Complex, Abuja, on Wednesday, stressed the need to address the security situation in the region.

Stating that the continued detention of Kanu has fueled tensions, deepened grievances, and hindered the region’s stability, he contended that his release would create the enabling environment for meaningful progress to take place in the region.

Nkwonta called on President Bola Tinubu to facilitate the release of Kanu as a step towards lasting peace and development in the Southeast.

He noted that the South East Development Commission (SEDC) was created to bridge developmental gaps in the region and that sustainable development could only be achieved in an atmosphere of peace and inclusivity.

Nkwonta linked the establishment of the SEDC to the broader national effort of Reintegration, Reconstruction, and Reconciliation (RRR) initiated by the federal government to heal the wounds of the past, particularly in the aftermath of the Nigerian Civil War.

He commended President Tinubu for assenting to the bill establishing the Commission but stressed that genuine reconciliation must also address the lingering issues of marginalisation and political grievances in the Southeast.

“The establishment of the South East Development Commission, 54 years after the civil war, is a monumental achievement. However, true reconciliation requires more than infrastructural development—it demands addressing historical grievances and ensuring justice for all,” he added.

The committee chairman pointed out that while the Southeast is known for its entrepreneurial spirit and resilience, the region continues to face serious developmental and security challenges, including infrastructural decay, economic underdevelopment, poor healthcare services, human capital flight, and escalating insecurity.

While reaffirming the committee’s oversight role, Nkwonta assured that the South East Development Commission would prioritise impactful and long-term projects rather than superficial initiatives with no lasting value.

He vowed to ensure strict accountability and transparency in the commission’s activities.

The Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas, who officially inaugurated the committee, said it marks a crucial step toward addressing the developmental challenges facing the Southeast region.

Abbas, who was represented by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, described the event as a renewed commitment to ensuring that the region receives the much-needed investment and attention for its growth and prosperity.

He stressed that the establishment of the SEDC was in response to longstanding issues such as gully erosion, infrastructural decay, economic downturn, youth unemployment, and insecurity.

The Commission, he explained, would serve as a vehicle for recovery, modernisation, and economic revitalization to position the Southeast as a hub for innovation, commerce, and industrial growth.