Why We Demand For Kanu's Release - Afenifere, Appoints Dele Farotimi As Secretary

The Yoruba socio-cultural group, Afenifere, has called on President Bola Tinubu to ensure the immediate release of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

The group described Kanu’s continued detention without trial as unjustifiable and a hindrance to national reconciliation.

The demand was made during Afenifere’s general meeting held on Tuesday at Isanya-Ogbo, Ogun State, the hometown of the group’s leader, Chief Ayo Adebanjo.

The meeting, presided over by Afenifere’s deputy leader, Oba Oladipo Olaitan, culminated in the issuance of a communiqué signed by him and the group’s National Publicity Secretary, Justice Faloye.

According to the release, the group expressed concern over the fairness of Kanu’s trial, citing conflicting and controversial legal proceedings.

“Afenifere notes that from all circumstances, particularly since his abduction in 2021 and repatriation 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 undoubtedly a political detainee,” the communiqué read.

“There is no justifiable reason to continue to keep him in detention without trial,” the statement added.

Afenifere also announced the appointment of lawyer and activist Barrister Dele Farotimi as the group’s National Organising Secretary. 

“The General Meeting considered and approved the appointment of Barrister Dele Farotimi as the National Organising Secretary of the Afenifere,” the communiqué stated.

In addition to its call for Kanu’s release, the group reiterated the need for the restructuring of Nigeria’s security framework. Afenifere argued that the current centralized police structure is inadequate for securing the nation’s vast territory and diverse population.

“Afenifere reiterates the position that Nigeria with its vast territory, population, and as a federation cannot be effectively and meaningfully secured with a single command unitary police structure and thus the need for the restructuring to ensure immediate constitutional institutionalization of state police.

“The steps will prevent a situation the Governor of Oyo State, even as the Chief Security Officer, had to helplessly and lamentably make an outcry on the infiltration of bandits into his state,” the group noted.

The group emphasized that creating state police would strengthen governance and improve security at the grassroots level.