Oluwo urges Tinubu to grant Nnamdi Kanu presidential amnesty

The Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdurosheed Akanbi, has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to grant the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, presidential amnesty as part of measures to promote national reconciliation and deepen unity across the country.

The monarch made the appeal in a statement issued by his media aide, Ibrahim Alli, on Tuesday, saying Kanu’s release could contribute to addressing longstanding grievances arising from the Nigerian Civil War and its aftermath.

Oba Akanbi said the wounds of the civil war remained evident in parts of the country, particularly among some members of the Igbo community, and called for deliberate efforts by the Federal Government to address historical grievances and promote healing.

He commended President Tinubu for what he described as an inclusive administration, arguing that granting Kanu amnesty would further demonstrate the President’s commitment to reconciliation and strengthen his image as a detribalised leader.

Call for historical reconciliation

The Oluwo said the Federal Government should consider establishing a panel dedicated to addressing historical grievances and promoting reconciliation among Nigerians, particularly in relation to the effects of the civil war.

“The post-war frustration being nursed by Igbos cannot be easily healed. While I commend President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s reintegration process as unprecedented, I call for further historical steps such as granting a presidential amnesty to the incarcerated leader of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu,” he said.

According to the monarch, addressing the grievances of the Igbo people would have implications beyond the South-East, as it would contribute to broader national healing and strengthen relationships among Nigeria’s major ethnic groups.

“A panel can be set to address the healing of the Igbos. The healing of the Igbos is a healing to Nigeria as a nation,” he said.

Oba Akanbi further claimed that historical events surrounding the civil war had continued to influence relations between ethnic groups, particularly between the Igbo and Yoruba, decades after the conflict ended.

PTSD and civil war trauma

The monarch compared the lingering effects of the civil war to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, saying people who experienced wars and violent conflicts could continue to suffer psychological and emotional consequences long after the conflicts had ended.

He cited the experiences of people affected by wars in countries including Iran, Afghanistan, the United States and Iraq, arguing that the consequences of war could persist across generations.

“Post Trauma Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a very dangerous disorder everywhere wars have ravaged. The imprisoned Kanu may also be suffering from PTSD,” Oba Akanbi said.

He also referred to the high number of deaths recorded during the Nigerian Civil War and argued that the conflict left deep emotional scars within the Igbo community.

The monarch said many people still carried bitterness over the consequences of the war, adding that the continued imprisonment of one of the prominent figures associated with the Biafra agitation could further fuel such sentiments.

Kanu should be cautioned and counselled

While making the case for Kanu’s release, Oba Akanbi acknowledged that the separatist leader had committed offences that warranted legal action.

He, however, appealed to President Tinubu to consider a rehabilitative approach, suggesting that Kanu could be cautioned and counselled before being released.

“I acknowledged the magnitude of Kanu’s excess that warranted his imprisonment. I appeal to the president to consider the identity of his tribe, not an individual,” he said.

“Nnamdi Kanu only needs to be cautioned and counselled before he can be released because of his temperament. I am hopeful he will turn a new leaf and be counsellor to his tribesmen toeing the line of violence.”

The monarch said Kanu could potentially become an advocate for peace and discourage violence among his supporters if given an opportunity to return to society.

Unity beyond ethnic divisions

Oba Akanbi stressed that his appeal should not be interpreted as a mobilisation for protest or confrontation, but as a call for dialogue and national reconciliation.

“I am not calling people for protest but making an holistic appeal to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to honour the tribe by releasing Nnamdi Kanu,” he said.

He expressed optimism that Kanu’s release, if considered by the Federal Government, could help reduce tensions surrounding separatist agitations and create room for more constructive dialogue between the South-East and the Federal Government.

The Oluwo also urged Nigerians to confront the historical divisions that continue to shape political and social relationships in the country, stressing that national unity could not be achieved without addressing unresolved grievances.

“There must be love for one another in this country,” he said.

“ Nigeria is divided along tribal attachment because of the past experience. We must stop nursing old wounds. The time is ripe to heal the wound.”