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SEDC Urges President Tinubu to Secure Nnamdi Kanu’s Release for Stability Of Southeast
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By Gloria Ikibah
The House of Representatives Committee on the South East Development Commission (SEDC) has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to take decisive action in facilitating the release of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.
The committee chairman, Rep. Hris Nkwonta, who stated this at its inaugural meeting on Wednesday in Abuja, said this was a crucial step toward fostering lasting peace and progress in the region.
Rep. Nkwonta emphasised the persistent security challenges in the Southeast, and the urgent need for resolution.
He said: “The continued detention of Kanu has fueled tensions, deepened grievances, and hindered the region’s stability”.
Rep. Nkwonta stated that the SEDC was established to address developmental disparities in the region, adding that sustainable progress can only be achieved in an atmosphere of peace and inclusivity.
He linked the Commission’s creation to the federal government’s broader agenda of Reintegration, Reconstruction, and Reconciliation (RRR), which is aimed at healing historical wounds, in particular those from the Nigerian Civil War.
“The establishment of the South East Development Commission, 54 years after the civil war, is a monumental achievement. However, true reconciliation requires more than infrastructural development—it demands addressing historical grievances and ensuring justice for all,” he added.
The chairman further noted that despite the Southeast’s entrepreneurial resilience, the region continues to grapple with challenges such as infrastructural decay, economic underdevelopment, poor healthcare services, human capital flight, and escalating insecurity.
He argued that Kanu’s detention remains a key factor in the unrest, discouraging investments and impeding development efforts, and urged the federal government to prioritize dialogue over prolonged legal confrontations, stressing that national unity requires political will and decisive action.
While reaffirming the committee’s oversight role, the Committee Chairman assured that the SEDC would focus on impactful, long-term projects rather than short-lived initiatives. He pledged to uphold accountability and transparency in all Commission activities.
Nkwonta therefore called on President Tinubu to demonstrate leadership by initiating the process for Kanu’s release and reintegration into society.
“Together, let us seize this opportunity to make history. Let us transform challenges into opportunities and build a South East region that is not only resilient but also thriving and prosperous,” he stated.
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Tajudeen Abbas, in his iinaugural speech, described the SEDC as a critical step toward addressing the Southeast’s developmental needs.
Represented by Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, Abbas eemphasised he committee’s role in driving investment and strategic initiatives for the region’s advancement.
“The inauguration of this committee is not just a formality. It is the beginning of a renewed effort to unlock the full potential of the Southeast, a region known for its resilience, industry, and entrepreneurial spirit,” he stated.
He noted that the Commission was created in response to long-standing issues such as gully erosion, infrastructural decline, economic stagnation, youth unemployment, and security challenges.
According to him, the Commission will serve as a vehicle for recovery, modernization, and economic revitalization, positioning the Southeast as a hub for innovation, commerce, and industrial growth.
“The role of this committee is to provide legislative oversight, monitor the implementation of policies, and ensure that the Commission fulfills its mandate with efficiency, transparency, and accountability,” Abbas added.
Acknowledging the Southeast’s historical significance as a center of trade, education, and enterprise, he lamented its struggles with inadequate infrastructure, minimal federal presence, and restricted access to development opportunities.
He urged the committee to prioritize infrastructure, industrial growth, human capital development, and security enhancement.
“This is not just about policy monitoring; it is also about improving the lives of millions of people who look to us for leadership and solutions,” he said.
Speaker Abbas charged members of the committee to approach their responsibilities with dedication and patriotism, stressing that their performance would shape the Commission’s legacy.
“The foundation you lay, and the impact you make, will be a significant stamp in the annals of the history of the Commission.
“Development is not about politics. It is about people. We must ensure that every policy, every project, and every decision taken by the commission serves the greater good of the region and contributes to national development,” he said.
The Speaker assured the committee of full support from his office and the House of Representatives, pledging collaboration to ensure the Commission meets its objectives and serves as a model for regional growth.
“This is our opportunity to turn aspirations into realities, to uplift communities, and to build a Southeast that is prosperous, stable, and thriving for generations to come,” he said.
“May your efforts bring about meaningful progress, and may this initiative serve as a lasting legacy in our shared vision for a stronger and more united Nigeria,” he asserted.
The Federal Government has declared Wednesday, May 27 and Thursday, May 28, 2026, as public holidays to mark Eid-el-Kabir.
Minister of Interior Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo announced the holidays on Monday in a statement signed by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Magdalene Ajani.
Tunji-Ojo congratulated Muslims in Nigeria and abroad, calling Eid-ul-Adha a festival of sacrifice, obedience to God, and compassion. He urged Nigerians to use the period for prayer and reflection on peace, security, and national prosperity.
“The Federal Government urges all Nigerians to use this period for prayer and sober reflection, asking for divine see guidance as it continues its pursuit of peace, security, and prosperity for every citizen,” the statement read.
World oil prices tumbled on renewed optimism about an agreement, after top US diplomat Marco Rubio suggested a deal could be reached within the day.
Iran warned Monday that, while some progress had been made, it was not yet close to striking a deal with the United States to end the Middle East war, after a weekend of mixed messages from Washington and Tehran.
World oil prices tumbled on renewed optimism about an agreement, after top US diplomat Marco Rubio suggested a deal could be reached within the day — but Iran’s foreign ministry spokesman responded: “No one can make such a claim.”
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif — whose government is spearheading efforts to mediate a negotiated agreement between the United States and Iran — met China’s President Xi Jinping in Beijing.
US and Iranian forces have observed a ceasefire since April 8 while diplomats push for a negotiated settlement, although Iran has maintained controls on Gulf shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and the US Navy has sought to blockade Iran’s ports.
“We thought we might have some news last night, maybe today,” US Secretary of State Rubio told reporters during a visit to New Delhi, referring to hopes for a deal.
“We have what I think is a pretty solid thing on the table in terms of their ability to open up the straits, get the straits open,” he said.
“We’re either going to have a good agreement or we’re going to have to deal with it another way. We’d prefer to have a good agreement,” he said.
But in Tehran, foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei poured cold water on hopes for a quick final settlement.
‘Certain fees’
“It is correct to say that we have reached a conclusion on a large portion of the issues under discussion,” he told a weekly news briefing.
“But to say that this means the signing of an agreement is imminent — no one can make such a claim.”
Baqaei stressed that Iran would continue to manage maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz by charging service fees — arguing that this did not amount to Tehran “seeking to collect tolls”.
“The services that are provided — navigational services in addition to the measures necessary to protect the environment of the Strait of Hormuz, the Persian Gulf and the Sea of Oman — require the collection of certain fees,” he said.
Earlier, President Donald Trump had said that he had told his negotiators “not to rush into a deal, in that time is on our side”, and warned that the US naval blockade would remain in place until a deal was reached.
A post on Trump’s Truth Social read: “If I make a deal with Iran, it will be a good and proper one,” adding that: “It isn’t even fully negotiated yet.”
Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday that he and Trump had agreed that “any final agreement with Iran must eliminate the nuclear threat entirely.”
‘Lasting peace’
Iranian officials have stressed that, despite the long-standing US demand for an end to its uranium enrichment, talks on the issue of Iran’s contested nuclear programme have been deferred until after an initial agreement.
The war, which erupted after the United States and Israel attacked the Islamic republic on February 28 and saw Iran respond with missile and drone attacks across the region, drove energy prices higher.
Crude oil remains expensive by recent standards, but prices have see-sawed and Monday’s mood of relative optimism caused prices to plunge by almost five percent.
The price of North Sea Brent crude and West Texas Intermediate slipped to $99.00 and $92.10 a barrel respectively.
On Saturday, leaders from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Egypt, Jordan and Bahrain, as well as representatives from Turkey and Pakistan, joined a call with Trump to discuss the deal.
The focus of international efforts moved to Beijing on Monday, where Pakistan’s Sharif and army chief Asim Munir, who visited Tehran on Saturday, met senior leaders including Xi and Premier Li Qiang.
Speaking to Chinese leaders, Sharif said “the world is passing through a critical moment”, Pakistan’s state-run PTV channel showed.
“Things are moving in the right direction. I would like to thank China’s support to promote peace.”
AFP
A young politician and community mobilizer in Ebubu, Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State, Samuel Obe Ngobe, has been killed by gunmen suspected to be assassins.
It was gathered on Monday that the incident occurred on May 22 when the assailants invaded a hotel in the community owned by the deceased and shot him dead.
The two suspects, who were masked, invaded the area on a motorbike and went straight to the politician and opened fire on him.
It was also gathered that the assailants carted away cell phones from the hotel workers to prevent them from raising an alarm.
When contracted on Monday, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Rivers State Command, Agabe Blessing Kaborlo, confirmed the killing.
The PPRO said, “Investigation is ongoing on the matter”.
FG declares May 27-28 Public holiday to markEid-el-Kabir
Iran Warns Deal With US Not Yet Close, Despite Minimal Progress
Sad: Two hooded men gun down politician in his Rivers State hotel
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