The Igbo Elders Consultative Forum has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to release Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), as a final gesture of national reconciliation in honour of late former President Muhammadu Buhari.

Reacting to Buhari’s death, the Forum extended its condolences but used the moment to highlight what it described as the late president’s legacy of injustice and marginalisation, particularly in the Southeast.

Speaking with DAILY GAZETTE in a telephone interview on Tuesday, the Forum’s Secretary General, Prof. Charles Nwekeaku, emphasized that Kanu’s continued detention even after several court rulings in his favour remains a symbol of unresolved grievances in the region.

Kanu’s legal battle dates back to October 2015, when he was first arrested under Buhari’s administration on charges of treasonable felony stemming from his advocacy for the secession of the Southeast.

The arrest sparked widespread protests across the region.

Although he was granted bail in April 2017 on health grounds, a raid by security operatives on his residence in September of that year forced him to flee the country.

His bail was subsequently revoked.

The most contentious development came in June 2021 when Kanu was captured abroad and returned to Nigeria.

The Federal Government later confirmed that he had been taken from Kenya under unclear circumstances. Human rights groups and legal experts widely criticised the operation as an illegal rendition.

In October 2022, the Court of Appeal in Abuja dismissed eight out of fifteen charges and ruled that Kanu could not be tried on the remaining charges due to the illegality of his extradition.

It ordered his release, citing violations of international and domestic laws.

Despite this, the Federal Government appealed the decision and, in December 2023, the Supreme Court overturned the earlier ruling and ordered Kanu to stand trial.

Prof. Nwekeaku believes President Tinubu now has a chance to foster national healing where his predecessor failed.

“Our elder, 93-year-old Chief Mbazulike Amaechi, first Republican minister, pleaded that Nnamdi Kanu should be released by the federal government as a birthday gift to him, but he was denied,” he said.

“As Christians, we are not happy that our former president died. He served Nigeria twice. Many times. First, as a Head of State, he later served as governor. He served as board chairman.

He also served as chairman of the Petroleum Trust Fund and then came back and served as a civilian president.

“I think Nigerians have actually lost a great leader. May God grant his soul a rest. Although for those of us from the southeast, we know that under his administration, we were punished for no just cause,” he added.

Prof. Nwekeaku also pointed to what he described as deliberate regional exclusion under Buhari’s administration.

“You can imagine, under his administration, the federal government took a $22.7 billion foreign loan for a rail line in the country, and the Southeast was excluded from that project. We know that in many appointments, Southeast was excluded.”

He reiterated that Tinubu could signal a new chapter by granting Kanu freedom one that embraces fairness and inclusivity.

Grief hung heavily over Daura on Tuesday, as the agrarian hometown of former President Muhammadu Buhari hosted his final rites. Rain fell as if in mourning, soaking the Katsina soil where Buhari’s remains were interred amid solemn prayers, tributes, and military honours.

“The cloud over Daura was heavily laden with grief, sadness, and mixed emotions on Tuesday,” the original report noted.

“The sombre cloud later shed tears, soaking the soil of the rustic town in Katsina State, as friends and family members laid the remains of former President Muhammadu Buhari to rest in the agrarian community.”

The body of the 82-year-old former leader, wrapped in the Nigerian green-white-green flag, was lowered into the ground at precisely 5:50 pm, as his children, family members, and close associates stood by in mourning.

Military honours, including gun salutes and ceremonial processions, marked the funeral of the former Commander-in-Chief.

Islamic rites were also observed before the burial, as tradition and protocol blended to honour the statesman.

Daura, not only Buhari’s final resting place but also his birthplace, echoed with memories of the man revered by many in the North as “Mai Gaskiya”—Hausa for “the truth-teller.”

Buhari’s leadership spanned nearly a decade, serving first as a military ruler from January 1984 to August 1985, and later as a civilian president from May 2015 to May 2023, becoming one of Nigeria’s longest-serving leaders.

Among those who came to pay their last respects were First Lady Aisha Buhari; President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima; former Vice President Yemi Osinbajo; Atiku Abubakar; business magnate Aliko Dangote; and a host of governors, ministers, royal fathers, and religious leaders.

“Buhari’s body is lowered into the grave,” read a post from Channels Television, capturing the deeply emotional moment.

Before the interment, Buhari’s remains were received in Katsina by President Tinubu after arriving from the United Kingdom, where the ex-president died on Sunday, July 13, 2025, at The London Clinic, following a long illness.

“Born on December 17, 1942, Mai Gaskiya served as the country’s military head of state between January 1984 and August 1985. He later returned as Nigeria’s democratically elected president in May 2015, a position he held for eight unbroken years until May 2023, when he handed over to his party’s candidate, Tinubu.”

Tuesday was declared a national day of mourning by the Federal Government, with flags flying at half-mast in honour of Buhari’s legacy.

While many Nigerians will remember him for his firm stance against corruption and indiscipline, his presidency leaves behind a mixed legacy marked by praise and criticism in equal measure.

Calls for the creation of new states and local government areas, establishment of state police, and the inclusion of constitutional roles for traditional rulers took center stage during public hearings on the review of Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution held across the northern region over the weekend.

The House of Representatives Committee on Constitution Review conducted zonal public hearings in the North East, North Central, and North West to gather inputs from stakeholders, civil society organizations, traditional leaders, and other interest groups.

The committee revealed it had received 46 formal requests for new states and 117 demands for new LGAs from across the country, with proposals representing all six geopolitical zones.

“The committee had disclosed that it received 46 formal requests for the creation of new states, alongside 117 demands for new local government areas across the country, adding that the proposals submitted by various interest groups span all the six geopolitical zones.”

Despite repeated attempts in the past two decades to amend the constitution—costing over N20 billion and resulting in at least 30 alterations—progress has often been stalled due to lack of concurrence from two-thirds of the state assemblies or presidential assent.

North East Zone:

In Borno and Gombe, which hosted the North East hearings, stakeholders submitted seven proposals for new states and over 40 requests for additional LGAs.

The proposed states include Amana (from Adamawa), Savannah (Borno), Katagum (Bauchi), Tangalwaja (Gombe), and Muri, Kwararafa, and South Sardauna (Taraba).

Alhaji Sali Bello, Dan Amar Mubi, and leader of the Amana State movement, emphasized the longstanding demand:
“The state is long overdue,” he said, “stressing that they had been unjustly treated by the Nigerian state.”

Amb. Dauda Danladi, who advocated for Savannah State, argued:
“Creating the state would spur economic and rich cultural benefits which abound in its geographical location.”

Traditional rulers also strongly advocated constitutional recognition.

The Shehu of Borno, Dr. Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai El-Kanemi, and the Emir of Gombe (represented by Dr. Sani Jauro), both submitted memoranda demanding defined roles for traditional institutions.

Hon. Zainab Gimba (Bama, Ngala, Kala-Balge Federal Constituency) called for gender inclusion:
“Reserved seats for women [are needed] to enable them have a voice in the decision-making process.”

North Central Zone:

In Minna, Niger State, stakeholders called for new states and LGAs, state police, and penalties for governors who undermine local government autonomy.

Proposed states include Kainji and Edu (from Niger and Kebbi), Okura and Okun (from Kogi), and Ifesuwakpo (from Kwara).
Amb. Ahmed Musa Ibeto, leading the Kainji State creation movement, said:
“The new state comprising Borgu and Kontagora Emirates and Zuru Emirate would reduce ungoverned spaces and aid the fight against insurgency.”

Kogi’s Governor, represented by Attorney-General Muzi Yinus Abdullahi (SAN), made a case for mining rights:
“A sector such as mining which is significant economic activity in Kogi State, both the federal and state governments should have the authority to legislate and regulate,” he said.

Niger State’s Attorney-General, Nasiru Mu’azu, emphasized broader reforms covering devolution of power, fiscal federalism, restructuring, and the electoral process.

Prof. Kathleen Okafor, consultant to the House Committee, presented a summary of the constitutional bills, covering key areas including the judiciary, legislative reforms, inclusive governance, rural development, and fundamental rights.

Labour groups also weighed in. The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), through Niger State Chairman Idrees Lafene, opposed removing Labour from the Exclusive Legislative List, warning against federal abdication of responsibility.

North West Zone:

At the Kaduna hearing chaired by Hon. Madaki Aliyu, Deputy Minority Leader, the demand for additional states, decentralization, and women’s political inclusion featured prominently.

Kano delegates advocated for Ghari State, while Southern Kaduna groups under SUKAPU submitted a detailed proposal for Gurara State.
Shuiabu Dabo, representing the Muslim Ummah of Southern Kaduna, said:
“Muslims in Southern Kaduna who make up about 30 percent of the population have agreed to align with the demand for the creation of Gurara State.”

Lt. Col. Shehu Ibrahim (rtd) supported the creation of both Gurara and a “New Kaduna” State. From Katsina, retired Justice Saminu Sanusi called for Kar’adua State, while Jigawa’s Malam Musa Shuaibu renewed a longstanding push for Hadeja State.

Alhaji Kabiru Ado advocated for Bayajidda State from parts of Katsina and Jigawa. A new state, “Chika,” was also proposed by labour leader Alhaji Baffa Sani Gaya.

The Emir of Zazzau, Amb. Nuhu Ahmad Bamalli, emphasized the need for traditional roles to be constitutionally recognized. Similarly, Aisha Ismail, former Women Affairs Minister speaking for the Arewa Consultative Forum, said:
“The forum supports the creation of state police.”

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has declared a nationwide three-day mourning period in honour of the late former President Muhammadu Buhari.

The mourning will span from Tuesday, July 15, 2025, across all ADC chapters and structures nationwide.

The announcement was made in a statement issued on Monday by the party’s Interim National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi.

He stated that during the mourning period, the ADC would suspend all political activities and refrain from issuing public statements.

According to Abdullahi, the move is a solemn tribute to Buhari’s lifelong service to Nigeria in various capacities as a citizen, military leader, and democratically elected president.

“Regardless of political affiliations, what cannot be denied is that President Buhari served this country with a fierce sense of duty, personal discipline, and conviction,” he said.

Abdullahi emphasized that Buhari’s leadership and character left a lasting impact, particularly among Nigeria’s poor and underprivileged, many of whom remained loyal to him throughout his political career.

“With his force of personal example, Buhari inspired millions across social divides, but especially the poor, who adored and stuck with him throughout his political sojourn and thereafter.”

The ADC called on Nigerians to remember the late president not only for his position but for the values he personified at his best.

“Let his memory be a mirror that reflects the personal ethics that we must continue to demand from leadership for generations to come,” the statement read.