'You Can't Shut Me Up', Abia Rep In Heated Argument With Speaker Over Nnamdi Kanu's Case

“You Can’t Shut Me Up” - Abia Rep Clashes with Speaker Over Nnamdi Kanu’s Health Crisis

In a dramatic and emotionally charged session of Nigeria’s House of Representatives, Obi Aguocha, the Labour Party representative for Ikwuano/Umuahia North/Umuahia South Federal Constituency in Abia State, ignited a heated confrontation with Speaker Tajudeen Abbas over the deteriorating health of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

The clash, which lasted over seven minutes during plenary, underscored growing tensions surrounding Kanu’s continued detention and the perceived inaction of federal authorities.

Aguocha rose on a point of privilege, citing a letter he submitted on August 26 to Speaker Abbas, Attorney-General Lateef Fagbemi, and President Bola Tinubu. The letter, he claimed, detailed urgent concerns about Kanu’s worsening medical condition, which had been confirmed by a second evaluation conducted by the Nigerian Medical Association. According to Aguocha, the findings revealed organ deficiencies, dangerously low potassium levels, and a critical state of health that placed Kanu “on the verge of death.”

In impassioned remarks, Aguocha emphasized that his intervention was not political but a matter of fundamental human rights. He argued that Kanu, who has not been convicted of any crime in Nigeria, should be afforded the same medical privileges as others in similar circumstances, including the opportunity to seek treatment abroad. He urged the House to treat the issue with the urgency it deserved, declaring, “This is a matter of life and death.”

Speaker Abbas, however, challenged Aguocha’s use of the “point of privilege” mechanism, suggesting that the matter was not specific to the office of the Speaker and could have been addressed through direct engagement.

Abbas noted that Aguocha had access to his office and questioned the appropriateness of raising the issue on the House floor. Aguocha responded that he had indeed visited the Speaker’s office but had received no feedback, prompting him to escalate the matter publicly.

The exchange grew increasingly tense as Aguocha insisted on his right to speak, reportedly declaring, “You can’t shut me up!” Abbas ultimately ruled him out of order, maintaining that the House floor was not the proper venue for such follow-up and reiterating that he was not obligated to disclose any actions taken regarding the letter.

Nnamdi Kanu has been in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) since his controversial extradition from Kenya in June 2021. He faces terrorism-related charges, and multiple court requests for medical leave have been denied. Calls for his release have intensified, particularly from stakeholders in the South-East, who argue that his continued detention and declining health pose serious humanitarian and constitutional concerns.

This confrontation between Aguocha and Abbas reflects a broader national debate over civil liberties, political accountability, and the treatment of high-profile detainees.

As pressure mounts, the government’s response, or lack there-off, may have significant implications for public trust and regional stability.