Former Senate Minority Leader and current representative of Abia South Senatorial District, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, has strongly denied reports alleging that he threatened to disrupt plenary at the National Assembly if President Bola Tinubu did not secure the immediate release of Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
In a statement released on Friday by his media aide, Uchenna Awom, Abaribe dismissed the viral claim as entirely false, describing it as a calculated attempt to undermine ongoing efforts toward a political resolution of Kanu’s case.
Viral Reports and Fabricated Protest Claims
A widely circulated social media post alleged that Abaribe staged a dramatic protest within the National Assembly complex, holding a placard and obstructing key entry points. The misleading report further attributed inflammatory statements to the senator, including purported remarks such as:
- “Enough is enough! Nothing will function in Nigeria until Kanu is released, as required by law.”
- “The Igbo people are not fools—we have been patient long enough. If President Tinubu insists on lawlessness, then let it be total lawlessness.”
However, Abaribe categorically debunked these claims, emphasizing that he was not even in Abuja on the day the alleged incident took place.
Abaribe’s Rebuttal and Clarification of Events
To set the record straight, Abaribe detailed his whereabouts during the period in question. According to him, he left Abuja on Thursday for an official oversight visit to Ikwuano Umuahia in Abia State.
“For the avoidance of doubt, Senator Abaribe was last seen on the Senate floor on Wednesday. He then traveled out of Abuja on Thursday for an oversight function organized by the Senate Committee on Niger Delta Development Commission,” the statement clarified.
Additionally, the senator pointed out a fundamental flaw in the viral claim: “The Senate does not hold plenary sessions on Fridays. Sessions are conducted only from Tuesday to Thursday, making any allegation of a shutdown on Friday completely baseless.”
Position on Nnamdi Kanu’s Case
Abaribe reiterated that Kanu’s case remains under judicial consideration and stressed that the National Assembly does not interfere in court proceedings.
“The report is false and a deliberate attempt to misinform the public. Matters under judicial consideration (sub judice) are not debated in the Senate,” he stated.
While reaffirming his consistent advocacy for a peaceful resolution to Kanu’s detention, Abaribe maintained that any such resolution must follow due process.
“Senator Abaribe could not have embarked on such an action, knowing fully well its futility. The truth is, he did not stage any protest or obstruct legislative activities,” the statement emphasized.
Urging the Public to Reject Fake News
Abaribe urged Nigerians to disregard the misleading claim and refrain from spreading unverified reports.
“The public is advised to ignore this fabricated story and avoid promoting false narratives,” his statement concluded.
His clarification comes just two days after Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja rescheduled Nnamdi Kanu’s trial for March 21, further underscoring the ongoing legal processes regarding the case.
