Afenifere Calls For Nnamdi Kanu’s Release, Appoints Dele Farotimi As Organising Secretary
The Yoruba socio-cultural group, Afenifere, has urged President Bola Tinubu to release the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, in the interest of justice and national reconciliation.
In a communiqué issued after its general meeting on Tuesday, the group expressed concerns that Kanu’s fair trial may no longer be guaranteed due to the controversial and conflicting legal proceedings surrounding his detention.
The meeting, presided over by the deputy leader of Afenifere, Oba Oladipo Olaitan, was held at Isanya-Ogbo, Ogun State, the hometown of its leader, Ayo Adebanjo. The communiqué was jointly signed by Olaitan and Afenifere’s National Publicity Secretary, Justice Faloye.
The group described Kanu as a political detainee and argued that his continued detention without trial since his extraordinary rendition to Nigeria in 2021 lacks justification.
“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, his fair trial may no longer be guaranteed in the opinion of reasonable members of the public,” the communiqué stated.
“There is no justifiable reason to continue to keep him in detention without trial,” it added.
In addition to calling for Kanu’s release, Afenifere announced the appointment of human rights lawyer 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 Afenifere,” the statement confirmed.
The group also reiterated its longstanding demand for the establishment of state police, emphasising that Nigeria’s vast territory, population, and federal structure cannot be effectively secured with a single command police force.
“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,” the communiqué read.
The group further referenced recent security concerns in Oyo State, where the governor raised an alarm over the infiltration of bandits. According to Afenifere, this incident highlights the urgent need for constitutional reforms to institutionalise state policing and ensure better security nationwide.
The meeting concluded with a renewed call for restructuring to address Nigeria’s growing security and governance challenges.
