In a passionate plea for national unity and peace, Chukwuma Machukwu-Ume (SAN), a former Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in Imo State, has called on President Bola Tinubu to grant the release of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). This call comes in the wake of similar appeals from prominent national figures and respected statesmen.
In a letter dated February 24, 2025, titled “Healing the Wounds in Our Nation-Building Efforts and Marching Nigeria Towards a New Stable Nation: Hence This Passionate Plea for the Urgent Release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu,” Machukwu-Ume made an impassioned argument for Kanu’s release, urging the president to reflect on the pleas made by the late respected leaders from the South, including Chief Edwin Clark, Chief Ayo Adebanjo, Chief Mbazurike Amaechi, Prof. George Achulike Obiozor, Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife, and Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu. These leaders, throughout their lifetimes, advocated for peace, unity, and reconciliation, emphasizing the importance of releasing Kanu as part of efforts to heal the nation’s divisions.
Machukwu-Ume, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, emphasized the importance of national unity for Nigeria’s long-term stability, highlighting that the inclusion of all ethnic groups in governance is vital for a peaceful and prosperous future. He warned against the dangers of ethnic dominance, which can breed division and distrust in a multi-ethnic society like Nigeria.
The letter also brought attention to the worsening security situation in the South East, which Machukwu-Ume attributed, in part, to the prolonged detention of Kanu. He pointed to the rise of non-state actors exploiting the region’s instability to further their own agendas, exacerbating the crisis. The Senior Advocate expressed concern that the ongoing violence, especially after the Owerri jailbreak and the controversial Monday sit-at-home protests—activities Kanu has publicly disassociated himself from—has severely impacted the South East’s economy and its people.
In light of these developments, Machukwu-Ume called on President Tinubu to prioritize national unity, urging him to consider the urgent release of Nnamdi Kanu as a necessary step toward healing the wounds of the nation. By responding to these calls for justice and reconciliation, the Senior Advocate believes that Nigeria can move closer to a more stable and unified future.
The plea for Kanu’s release has sparked ongoing discussions across the country, with some supporting the move as a vital step toward peace, while others continue to view it through the lens of security concerns. Nevertheless, Machukwu-Ume’s letter is a powerful reminder of the need for statesmanship, fairness, and a commitment to the greater good of Nigeria’s unity.
