A bipartisan coalition of federal lawmakers operating under the Save Nigeria Group has formally requested Senate President Godswill Akpabio and House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas to immediately recall the National Assembly from recess for an emergency sitting.

According to a public statement released on Friday and co-signed by representatives Awaji-Inombek Abiante (Rivers), Abubakar Kusada (Katsina), and Mansur Jega (Kebbi) on behalf of other legislators, the group emphasized that their intervention is driven by national interest rather than political partisanship. They expressed deep concern over what they termed a steady erosion of institutional checks and balances and a disregard for established legal frameworks.

Key Issues Raised by the Group:

• State Police and Legislative Procedures: The lawmakers questioned the parliamentary methods utilized during the passage of the Executive State Police Constitutional Alteration Bill on July 23, 2026. While clarifying that they are not opposed to establishing state police, they argued that the voting process—which allegedly included remote inputs via WhatsApp rather than physical attendance—fell short of the mandatory two-thirds majority requirement set by the constitution. They also criticized the voice-vote approval of the state of emergency in Rivers State from March 2025.

• Budgetary Concerns and Under-Implementation: The coalition flagged persistent delays, rollovers, and under-funding of capital projects across the 2024, 2025, and 2026 fiscal years, noting that execution levels have fallen drastically short of projections. Citing remarks by Senate Chief Whip Mohammed Monguno, they stressed that failing to implement enacted appropriation acts raises serious constitutional questions and weakens fiscal accountability. They demanded comprehensive budget implementation reports, capital release tracking, and a joint parliamentary inquiry.

• Alleged Off-Budget Expenditures: Pointing to an international assessment from July 2026, the lawmakers called for an independent forensic audit into an estimated ₦8.83 trillion in public spending that allegedly went unrecorded in recent official budgets.

• Insecurity and Security Funding Disparities: The group raised concerns over worsening security conditions nationwide and criticized disparities in capital fund releases. They contrasted the rapid funding of the Presidential Air Fleet with what they described as sluggish capital disbursement for vital security equipment needed by the Nigerian Army and other law enforcement agencies.

The legislators also acknowledged statements from the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria and the Supreme Council for Shari’ah in Nigeria regarding national security and governance. They concluded by asserting that the legislature must actively exercise its oversight mandate to address these crises rather than remaining on recess.

According to reports from online statements, Ejimakor expressed concern that Kanu has been subjected to excessive prosecution by the state, claiming that the judiciary was misled into supporting an overzealous legal approach.

In a post shared on $\mathbb{X}$, Ejimakor emphasized that Kanu’s advocacy has consistently focused on self-determination as a response to perceived inequality within Nigeria. He noted his belief that a resolution to the matter will eventually be reached.

Background on the Case

• Initial Arrest: Kanu was first taken into custody by the Department of State Services (DSS) in Lagos on October 14, 2015, facing allegations related to Radio Biafra and treasonable felony. Subsequent court appearances followed at an Abuja Magistrate Court and the Federal High Court.

• Bail and Departure: On April 28, 2017, Justice Binta Nyako granted Kanu bail for health reasons. However, following a military raid on his residence in Abia State, he left the country, resulting in the revocation of his bail.

• Rendition and Rearraignment: Kanu was apprehended in Kenya on June 26, 2021, and returned to Nigeria through an extraordinary rendition process. He was subsequently held by the DSS and brought back before the Abuja Federal High Court.

• Recent Legal Outcome: Following extensive legal proceedings regarding the push for Biafra’s realization, Justice James Omotosho of the Abuja Federal High Court sentenced Kanu to life imprisonment on November 20, 2025.