Nnamdi Kanu: Senator Dickson Calls for Political Solution, Warns Against Escalation
Senator Henry Seriake Dickson has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to initiate a comprehensive political solution to address the continued detention and conviction of IPOB leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
In a strongly worded statement, the former Governor of Bayelsa State and Chairman of the South-South Senate Caucus said it is time for Nigeria to embrace a peace-driven approach that will end violence in the South East and promote national unity.
Dickson, a former Attorney General and police officer, stressed that the issue goes beyond legal proceedings. According to him, history has shown—both globally and within Nigeria—that arrests, trials, and sentencing do not put an end to political or separatist agitations.
Nnamdi Kanu
He cited examples ranging from Nelson Mandela to Isaac Adaka Boro, noting that sustainable peace only emerged when leaders initiated political and inclusive solutions that placed national interest above personal or regional considerations.
The Senator recalled how the Yar’Adua/Jonathan administration successfully quelled tensions in the Niger Delta through the Presidential Amnesty Programme. He also referenced the decision of General Yakubu Gowon, who pardoned Boro and his comrades after their sentencing, eventually integrating them into federal forces during the civil war.
“It is now the duty of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as a statesman and leader of the nation, to begin a peace process that will enable Nnamdi Kanu and the tendencies he represents to renounce violence,” Dickson said. He added that a broader national dialogue should address long-standing grievances, structural imbalances, and the need for fairness and inclusion across all regions.
He reminded Nigerians that President Tinubu had once been a key advocate for restructuring during his days in NADECO and the Alliance for Democracy. According to Dickson, the President is in a unique position to lead the nation toward a fairer, more unified future.
Dickson also appealed to security agencies to ensure Kanu’s safety and humane treatment as legal and political processes continue, warning that Nigeria cannot afford new flashpoints amid ongoing terrorism and banditry in the North.
The Senator called on youths in the South East to remain calm and participate in political efforts aimed at achieving a restructured and inclusive Nigeria.
He disclosed that he has already begun consultations with lawmakers from the South East and other parts of the country to support steps that will promote peace and stability.
“As one of the leaders and Chairman of the South-South Caucus, I am available for any engagement that will lead to a restructured Nigeria that works for all,” he said.
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