Chukwuma Machukwu Ume, SAN, a former Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in Imo State, has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to release Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). Ume’s plea, dated February 24, 2025, emphasizes the need for national healing and unity.

In his letter titled “Healing the Wounds in Our Nation-Building Efforts,” Ume referenced the late leaders from the South, including Chief Edwin Clark and Chief Ayo Adebanjo, who advocated for peace and the release of Kanu during their lifetimes. He described their calls as an enduring reminder of the need for fairness and statesmanship.

Ume urged the President to consider the historical context surrounding Kanu’s emergence and the importance of inclusivity in Nigeria’s nation-building efforts. He argued that the ongoing violence in the South-East, characterized by the aftermath of the Owerri jailbreak and the destructive sit-at-home orders, has led to economic devastation, which Kanu publicly denounced.

He stressed that true national stability can only be achieved by addressing the grievances of all ethnic groups, rather than perpetuating an environment of ethnic dominance.