- Nwanyanwu to Tinubu: Free Nnamdi Kanu now, end injustice
By Abiola Olawale
Zenith Labour Party Chairman, Chief Dan Nwanyanwu, has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to be careful of his appointee, the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.
Nwanyanwu who spoke during a press conference in Abuja on Sunday raised alarm that Wike is allegedly planning to contest against Tinubu in the forthcoming 2027 General election.
According to him, the reason the political crisis of Rivers State has escalated is because Wike wants to purportedly use the state’s resources to allegedly finance his perceived presidential ambition.
The Chairman of the ZLP described Wike as a man who talks from both sides of the mouth, urging Tinubu to be weary of his intentions.
Nwanyanwu said he has 26 speeches where Wike had made commitments and failed to honour his words, saying betraying Tinubu in 2027 won’t be anything new.
He said: “I have said it severally, the President has no business listening to Wike. You have given him a job, you have rewarded him for the manipulation he did in Rivers State, and we have let it go. But he should put fire in Rivers State because that will affect your office as President.
“If the problem is about 2027, the person you should do business with is Fubara. He is the man on sit, you know it, Mr President. You have been there for eight years, you are the most experienced politician to become president so you should understand it more than I do.
“If you don’t know, Wike is going to contest against you, President Tinubu in 2027. Take it to the bank. All that he is doing in Abuja, forget it, yes he is doing a good job but he will run against you.
“He will leave that office in early 2026 to prepare for his presidency. Why do I say so? I have on record speeches made by Wike which shows commitments he failed in all. So your own, Mr President is a minor case. That will be another regret he will tell Nigerians. I know what I am saying.”
Nwanyanwu while addressing the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State, urged the lawmakers who defected from their original parties to respect the rule of law.
He urged all parties to respect democratic processes and the rule of law, warning against actions that could lead to a state of emergency.
He continued: “Regarding the Rivers State crisis, we must respect democratic processes and the rule of law. The law is clear: leaving your party means losing your seat automatically. They tried to rejoin their old party through the backdoor, which is also not permissible.
“Demonstrations, allegedly sponsored by Abuja, have aimed to create mayhem to justify a state of emergency. We urge all parties to respect the law and avoid actions that could lead to a state of emergency,” he said.
Also, the ZLP Chairman urged Tinubu to immediately sanction the release of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
He questioned the justification of Kanu’s continued detention, emphasizing that his denunciation of violent activities and commitment to peaceful means are enough grounds for his release.
According to him, the federal government is allegedly selective in its treatment of Kanu’s case , stressing that its is unjustifiable. “It’s time to end this injustice and release him unconditionally.”, he’d added.
He said: “The federal government’s selective treatment of Kanu’s case is unjustifiable. We need to question why Nnamdi Kanu remains in detention while terrorists roam free and negotiate without government oversight. Many who shared Kanu’s agitation have been freed, yet he remains detained. A significant number of people, including a notable religious leader before his passing, have called for Kanu’s release.
“Kanu’s continued detention raises questions. He was agitating like others but was abducted from Kenya and brought back here. Since his detention, he has denounced all activities that caused insecurity in the southeast. Those involved in these activities were not from Kanu’s region. He has committed no offence; his only crime is asking for his people’s freedom.
“We are calling on the President to release Kanu. If not, let’s bring him to a public square and use him fa or barbecue, symbolically letting his enemies partake to close this chapter. There is no justification for Kanu’s continued detention. It’s an injustice that must be addressed immediately.”
