18/09/2025
BREAKING NEWS: South East Clerics Urge Tinubu to Free Nnamdi Kanu, Call for Mercy to Heal National Divisions
Posted September 18, 2025 by Freedom Square TV
A coalition of prominent Christian leaders from the South East region has written an open letter to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, appealing for the release of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. The letter, dated September 15, 2025, and signed by Archbishops, Bishops, and other clerics representing the Anglican, Catholic, Methodist, Presbyterian, and Pentecostal communities, was sent from the Cathedral of the Good Shepherd in Enugu. The clerics, under the platform of Fathers of Faith for Peace and Justice, urged the President to demonstrate statesmanship and magnanimity in granting Kanu freedom in line with the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
In their message, the religious leaders expressed deep concern about the lingering incarceration of Kanu, noting that his continued detention has fueled tension and insecurity in the South East. While acknowledging that the IPOB leader’s agitation for self-determination stemmed from perceived injustice and marginalization, they admitted that the movement was eventually hijacked by criminal elements who turned it into a source of violence, economic disruption, and tragic loss of lives. The clerics pointed out that Kanu’s case, which is currently before the courts and scheduled for continuation on October 10, 2025, cannot be adequately resolved through legal proceedings alone. Instead, they stressed that the situation calls for political wisdom and compassion, which, in their view, only the President could provide.
The letter conveyed an unreserved apology on behalf of Kanu for any words or actions that might have offended the President, previous Nigerian leaders, or the nation itself. Speaking as moral leaders and guardians of peace, they urged Tinubu to exercise his constitutional prerogative of mercy by directing the Attorney-General of the Federation to discontinue the case. According to them, such a decision would not only ease tensions in the region but also foster reconciliation, rebuild trust between the South East and the Federal Government, and give fresh impetus to the Renewed Hope Agenda.
The clerics outlined four major outcomes they believe would follow Kanu’s release. Firstly, it would restore confidence in the government and bridge longstanding gaps between the South East and the central authority. Secondly, it would significantly reduce unrest, insecurity, and anxiety that have worsened in the buildup to the October 10 court date. Thirdly, the gesture would demonstrate President Tinubu’s commitment to equity, inclusion, and unity, thus reinforcing the Renewed Hope policy. Lastly, it would empower the religious leaders themselves to play a more active role in counseling Kanu and guiding him toward peaceful and constructive engagement that promotes national cohesion.
The Fathers of Faith reminded the President that history has examples of past Nigerian leaders, both civilian and military, who used their powers to pardon or grant amnesty to individuals charged with treason. They emphasized that leaders are remembered not only for the battles they fought but also for the peace they secured. They suggested that Tinubu has an opportunity to leave behind a legacy of healing, unity, and reconciliation by resolving the lingering crisis surrounding Kanu.
The clerics also drew attention to the human cost of Kanu’s long detention. They highlighted his personal losses, including the death and burial of both of his parents during his incarceration, as well as his deteriorating health. These factors, they argued, add moral weight to their plea for mercy. Referring to Tinubu as the “father of the nation,” they urged him to save one of his sons through an act of compassion that could calm the storm in the South East and spread peace across Nigeria.
The appeal closed with prayers for the President and the nation, asking that Tinubu’s legacy be defined by the unity he fostered and the hope he renewed among Nigerians. The letter bore the signatures of several influential clerics, including Most Rev. Dr. David O.C. Onuoha, Anglican Archbishop of Owerri and Chairman of the group; Most Rev. Dr. Valerian Okeke, Catholic Archbishop of Onitsha; Most Rev. Dr. Chibuzo Raphael Opoko, Methodist Archbishop of Umuahia; Most Rev. Professor Ezichi Anya Ituma, Moderator of the Enugu Synod of the Presbyterian Church; and Archbishop Goddy Okafor, a former Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), South East Zone.
Their intervention adds to the growing voices from across the country urging for a political solution to the issue of Nnamdi Kanu, which many observers believe is necessary to address the root causes of insecurity in the South East. Analysts note that the clerics’ appeal, coming from a broad coalition of respected Christian leaders, could carry moral weight that may influence government decision-making. The signatories represent institutions with millions of followers across the region, giving their call for peace and reconciliation significant social and spiritual authority.
The clerics framed their appeal as an opportunity for Tinubu to write his name in history as a leader who embraced reconciliation over confrontation and who chose dialogue and mercy over prolonged conflict. They stressed that granting Kanu freedom would not be an act of weakness but a demonstration of strength, compassion, and wisdom befitting of a statesman. By doing so, they argued, Tinubu could not only calm the South East but also send a powerful message to the entire country that his administration is committed to equity, justice, and inclusive governance.
As the October court date approaches, all eyes remain on how the Federal Government will respond to this appeal from the Fathers of Faith. For many in the South East, Kanu’s detention has become a symbol of unaddressed grievances, and his release, according to the clerics, could be the key to unlocking a more peaceful and united Nigeria.
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