Nnamdi Kanu: Senator Dickson Urges Political Solution, Calls on President Tinubu to Lead National Reconciliation

Former Governor of Bayelsa State and Chairman of the South-South Senate Caucus, Senator Henry Seriake Dickson, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to initiate a broad-based political process aimed at addressing the separatist agitation led by the detained Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. In a statement titled “Nnamdi Kanu: The Imperative of a Political Solution,” the senator emphasized the urgent need for dialogue, reconciliation, and sustained political engagement as the only viable path to ending violence and restoring lasting peace in the South East and across Nigeria.

Senator Dickson aligned himself with other prominent leaders and stakeholders who are advocating for a resolution that could lead to Kanu’s release on terms that ensure stability, reintegration, and the promotion of national unity. He stressed that such an approach should not be viewed as a narrow regional demand, but rather as a comprehensive national effort, supported by Nigerians who value peace, justice, and inclusive governance.

Expressing deep concern over the recent violence in the South East and terrorist attacks affecting various parts of the North, Dickson conveyed sympathy for all victims. Drawing on his experience as a former police officer and Attorney-General, he expressed particular distress over the killing of security operatives, underscoring that lawlessness and violence must be rejected in all parts of the country. He noted that while the state has historically responded to separatist movements with arrests, trials, and punitive measures, history demonstrates that such approaches alone have never succeeded in delivering lasting peace.

Highlighting the importance of political engagement, Dickson pointed to global and local precedents where dialogue, rather than punishment, paved the way for reconciliation. He referenced Nelson Mandela’s struggle in South Africa and the experience of Isaac Adaka Boro in Nigeria, emphasizing that peace emerged only when political processes replaced purely punitive measures. Similarly, he recalled the Niger Delta peace initiative under Presidents Umaru Musa Yar’Adua and Goodluck Jonathan, which resulted in the Presidential Amnesty Programme and ushered in stability to a previously restive region.

Senator Dickson also cited the leadership of former Head of State, General Yakubu Gowon, who pardoned Boro and his comrades during the civil war and integrated them into federal forces—a decision he described as a demonstration of far-sighted statesmanship. Dickson recalled inviting Gowon to Bayelsa during his tenure as governor, where the former leader laid a wreath at the Ijaw Heroes Memorial Park, commemorating Boro’s remains and legacy.

Dickson insisted that the responsibility now rests with President Tinubu to approach the Nnamdi Kanu issue not merely as a politician but as a statesman capable of leading a national reconciliation process. He urged the President to pursue a strategy that would secure Kanu’s renunciation of violence while addressing historical injustices, structural imbalances, and grievances across Nigeria. Recalling Tinubu’s activism with NADECO and the Alliance for Democracy, Dickson argued that the President is well-positioned to lead such reforms and pledged his full support for any effort aimed at achieving this objective.

While the legal processes surrounding Kanu continue, Dickson stressed the need to ensure his safety and humane treatment in custody. He warned that with security forces already stretched by the fight against terrorism, banditry, and other criminal activities, the emergence of new conflict zones could severely undermine national stability.

In addition to addressing the Kanu issue, the senator reaffirmed his commitment to national mobilisation against terrorism, extremist attacks, and ransom-driven banditry, describing these threats as deliberate attempts to destabilize the Nigerian state. He also appealed to the people of the South East, particularly the youth, to remain calm, embrace dialogue, and actively participate in initiatives aimed at fostering a fair, inclusive, and restructured Nigeria.

As chairman of the South-South Senate Caucus, Dickson disclosed that he has begun consultations with colleagues from the South East and other regions to explore the best approaches toward achieving national stability. He concluded the statement with a reaffirmation of his availability and readiness to participate in any engagement that would facilitate a Nigeria that works for all citizens, declaring: “As everyone knows, I am available for any engagement that can lead to a restructured Nigeria that will work for all.”