The pan-Yoruba socio-cultural and political organisation, Afenifere, has called on President Bola Tinubu to release Nnamdi Kanu, stating that “there is no justifiable reason to continue keeping him in detention without trial.”
Afenifere made the call during its general meeting held on Tuesday at Chief Ayo Adebanjo’s residence in Isanya Ogbo, Ogun State.
Arogidigba Global Journal reports that Kanu has been in the custody of the Department of State Services since June 2021.
The call for his release was contained in a communiqué issued after the meeting, jointly signed by the Deputy Leader, Oladipo Olaitan, and Justice Faloye, the National Publicity Secretary.
Part of the communiqué reads: “Afenifere notes that 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.
“In the interest of justice and national reconciliation, Afenifere urges President Tinubu to release Nnamdi Kanu forthwith. There is no justifiable reason to continue keeping him in detention without trial.”
Afenifere also stressed that the country’s security situation has worsened and remains unabated, urging President Tinubu to take bold, positive, and ideological steps to ensure the genuine protection of lives and property across the country.