Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, representing Abia South, has dismissed viral reports alleging that he threatened to shut down the National Assembly to demand the release of Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
In a statement issued by his media aide, Uchenna Awom, Abaribe refuted the claims, describing them as false and misleading. The Senator clarified that he was present in the Senate on Wednesday and had left Abuja on Thursday for an official oversight function in Abia State. He further explained that the Senate does not convene on Fridays, making the reports of a shutdown unfounded.
Abaribe stressed that discussions regarding the legal matters of Kanu’s case, which is currently under judicial review, are not within the Senate’s purview. He called on the public to disregard the fabricated report, asserting that it was designed to distract from ongoing efforts to seek a political resolution for Kanu’s release.
The Senator also emphasized that the misleading reports were part of a broader effort to undermine political dialogue surrounding Kanu’s detention.
Abaribe’s swift denial comes amidst rising tensions over Kanu’s continued incarceration, with many of his supporters calling for his release. However, the Senator’s response highlights his commitment to addressing the matter through lawful and diplomatic means rather than through disruptive actions.
