The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, has expressed optimism about the potential release of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

Kalu said he was fighting to ensure that it happened.

He spoke on Thursday in Abuja at a meeting with the South East Legislators Forum.

The lawmakers from the State Houses of Assembly from the South-East, led by the Majority Leader of Ebonyi State House of Assembly, Kingsley Ikoro met to discuss issues affecting the region.

Kalu told the lawmakers that high-level underground dialogues with relevant authorities were ongoing to secure Kanu’s release.

According to him: “I am fighting for Mazi Nnamdi Kanu to come out. Very soon, it will happen. Please, keep us in your prayers.”

However, Kalu said the result of behind the scene discussions aimed at Kanu’s release would soon be seen.

The Deputy Speaker also advocated for the South East Development Commission (SEDC) in realising its objectives.

He stressed that the government means well for Igbo and Nigerians in general.

Kalu said: “The power of networking is more than money. Unity is power. We hardly recognise our own and we lose a lot of things because of it. We need to end the sit-at-home, people are destroying themselves. We need to come to together. The power of unity, the power of growth is important.

“I want to also commend you for leaving your various Houses of Assembly to come to the Federal House for exposure. It will help you.

“The benefits are many. It will make your legislative activities to be robust. It will help you to speak from the point of knowledge.

“On the proposed zonal public hearing, we will want you to support what we are doing in the process of amending the Constitution. We are thinking of starting in first and second quarter of next year.

“As members of the South East Legislative Forum, you need to be strong and have a common legislative agenda. Birth an idea and think of how we can utilise it.

“And that is why I want you to support the SEDC. Some people have said that the President said he wasn’t going to do it. They abandoned the 3Rs. Let’s support the president. We will build capacity.”

Recall that Nnamai Kanu, who is currently facing treason trial, has been in the custody of the Department of State Services since June 2021.

He was arrested in Kenya and subjected to extraordinary rendition to Nigeria to face his treason trial.

Recently, the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, had also assured that President Bola Tinubu will release Kanu.

She dropped the hint during the 13th memorial anniversary of the late Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu in Owerri, Imo State.

Ambassador Ojukwu emphasized that President Tinubu recognized the significance of Kanu’s release, which would help unveil criminal elements exploiting IPOB to instigate chaos in the Southeast.