Afenifere Calls for Nnamdi Kanu’s Release, Names Dele Farotimi as New Secretary

Yoruba socio-political group Afenifere has demanded the release of Nnamdi Kanu and appointed Dele Farotimi as its new secretary. Learn more about their stance and leadership changes.

Afenifere, the Yoruba socio-cultural group, has urged President Bola Tinubu to immediately release Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra.

In a statement released on Tuesday, the group expressed concerns that due to controversial and conflicting legal proceedings in various courts, there can no longer be any assurance of a fair hearing for the separatist leader.

The statement was released following the general meeting led by the group’s deputy leader, Oba Oladipo Olaitan, in Isanya-Ogbo, where its leader Ayo Adebanjo resides.

In a statement jointly signed by Olaitan and the group’s National Publicity Secretary, Justice Faloye, Afenifere advocated for Kanu’s release in the name of justice and national reconciliation.

The group referred to Kanu as a political detainee, asserting that there is no justification for keeping him in detention without trial.

The communiqué states, “Afenifere observes that considering all circumstances—especially his 2021 abduction and subsequent repatriation to Nigeria—Nnamdi Kanu has been entangled in contentious and inconsistent legal proceedings across various courts. In the view of reasonable members of the public, this jeopardizes any assurance of a fair trial for him, making it evident that he is undeniably a political detainee.”

The communiqué added that “there is no valid reason to continue holding him in detention without trial.”

The association has also named lawyer Dele Farotimi as the National Organising Secretary of Afenifere.

“The General Meeting reviewed and endorsed the appointment of Barrister Dele Farotimi as the National Organising Secretary of Afenifere,” it announced.

Afenifere also renewed their call for state police, arguing that the country’s extensive size, large population, and federal structure require more than a single centralized police force to ensure effective and meaningful security.

Afenifere emphasizes that given Nigeria’s extensive territory, large population, and federal system, it cannot be effectively or meaningfully secured through a centralized police structure. Therefore, there is a need for restructuring to promptly incorporate state police into the constitution.

“The measures will avert a scenario where the Governor of Oyo State, despite being the Chief Security Officer, was left to helplessly and regrettably raise concerns about bandits infiltrating his state,” the communique also stated.