A motion on the floor of the House of Representatives seeking the release of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mr. Nnamdi Kanu, was on Thursday at plenary deferred by Speaker of the House, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas, to next week.
Hon. Ginger Onwusibe, the House Member representing Isiala Ngwa North and South Federal Constituency of Abia State on the platform of the Labour Party, moved the motion for Nnamdi Kanu’s release, stressing that releasing the IPOB leader was a means of restoring peace in the south-eastern part of Nigeria.
Onwusibe’s motion was a recommendation for the amendment of Hon. Eze Nwachukwu Eze (PDP, Ebonyi), who had earlier moved a motion titled “Need to forestall further killings in L.G.A. and rising insecurity in Ebonyi/Ohaukwu Federal Constituency” following the attacks of people at Ishieke Market on Monday by unknown gunmen enforcing the IPOB sit-at-home order, which reportedly led to the death of two people, with 20 people sustaining various degrees of injuries.
However, as reported by VON, Speaker Abbas said the motion would be decided next week after he had consulted with the leadership of the majority and minority caucuses in the House.
“This is a topical issue. My ruling on this is that I will defer ruling on it at this particular time. And I will invite both the minority and majority leaders, so that we can consult and see what the point of the law says before I make my position known”. Mr. Abbas said.
He continued, “So, while I rule on other motions and amendments that have been proposed, that particular one is suspended for ruling next week after due consultations”.
Abbas, while also ruling on amendments to a motion by Eze Nwachukwu Eze on the need to forestall further killings in Ebony Local Government Area and the rising insecurity in Ebony/Ohaukwu Federal Constituency of Ebonyi, said he would have to consult the majority and leaders before ruling on a proposal for Kanu’s release as part of efforts to stop killings in the South East.
