LP lawmakers ask Tinubu to release Kanu, implement financial autonomy

Members of the South-East House of Assembly caucus of the Labour Party have joined the call for the release of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu.

The group, in a five-point communique made available to journalists in Awka on Saturday, said the release of Kanu will separate genuine agitators from criminals and kidnappers as well as douse insecurity in the South-East.

Kanu has been at the DSS detention since 2021 after he was renditioned from Kenya.

The communique signed by 11 lawmakers was read by the leader of the LP South-East caucus, Jude Umennajiego, on Saturday, indicating that the Kanu’s continued detention is also encouraging criminal elements masquerading as agitators to commit crimes.

Umennajiego said the communique was issued after their meeting of members of the caucus on July 10 2024.

It read partly, “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.

According to the communique, 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.

It read further, “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.”

The communique was signed by the caucus leader, Jude Umennajiego, Kingsley Udemezue, Chidimma Mbachu, Nkechi Ogbuefi, Justice Azuka, Harrison Ogara, Eze Gabriel, Malachy Onyechi, Raymond Ugwu, Fred Ezenwa and Osita Okoh.