He’s On the Verge of Death,’ Lawmaker Warns — Speaker Rules Him Out of Order Amid Growing Regional Unease
A charged atmosphere gripped the House of Representatives on Tuesday as a dramatic confrontation broke out between Hon. Obi Aguocha, member representing Ikwuano/Umuahia North/Umuahia South Federal Constituency of Abia State, and Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, over the worsening health condition of detained Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
What began as a routine plenary session quickly turned tense when Aguocha, rising under a point of privilege, accused the House leadership and relevant government institutions of ignoring his earlier letter seeking urgent medical intervention for Kanu. The letter, dated August 26, was reportedly addressed to President Bola Tinubu, Attorney-General of the Federation Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), and Speaker Abbas.
Aguocha revealed that the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) had conducted a follow-up medical evaluation confirming that Kanu’s health had deteriorated to a dangerous level.
> “The NMA’s second medical report confirms organ deficiencies and severe potassium depletion. As I speak, Nnamdi Kanu is on the verge of death,” Aguocha declared on the floor.
“This is not politics, Mr. Speaker. It’s about human rights and justice. Nnamdi Kanu has not been convicted of any crime. The Nigerian constitution guarantees his right to life and humane treatment.”
The visibly uncomfortable chamber watched as Speaker Abbas interrupted, challenging Aguocha’s approach and questioning his use of a point of privilege for what he described as a “non-procedural matter.”
> “Honourable member, if your concern relates to the office of the Speaker, it is inappropriate to raise it by privilege. You have direct access to me; the plenary floor is not the right place,” Abbas asserted firmly.
But Aguocha refused to back down, insisting he had already approached the Speaker privately without any feedback. He described Kanu’s situation as “a matter of life and death” and urged immediate legislative action.
> “Mr. Speaker, I have been to your office. There has been no response. This is beyond politics. This is about saving a human life,” Aguocha said, his voice rising.
The Speaker, maintaining composure, ruled Aguocha out of order, insisting that any follow-up to correspondence did not fall under plenary debate. He said he was under no constitutional obligation to disclose administrative actions publicly, effectively silencing the motion.
However, murmurs of discontent rippled across the Green Chamber as some lawmakers reportedly expressed quiet sympathy with Aguocha’s plea.
Reliable sources within the House who spoke to Daily Trust on condition of anonymity described the exchange as “the most emotionally charged confrontation” seen in recent months.
According to one senior aide, “Aguocha’s move caught leadership off guard. While many lawmakers privately agree with him on the need for humane treatment of Nnamdi Kanu, the Speaker is wary of allowing the chamber to appear politically divided on a matter with ethnic sensitivity.”
Another source close to the Speaker’s office hinted that Abbas had received Aguocha’s letter and had “initiated quiet consultations” with security authorities but chose not to make the matter public to avoid “political misinterpretation.”
> “The Speaker believes this is a highly volatile issue. Any public comment could be misconstrued as legislative interference in a judicial process,” the aide explained.
Background and Legal Deadlock
Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has been detained by the Department of State Services (DSS) since his controversial extradition from Kenya in June 2021. He faces multiple terrorism-related charges before the Federal High Court, Abuja.
Despite several court rulings ordering improved access to medical care, Kanu’s legal team alleges persistent non-compliance by security authorities. The DSS, however, maintains that he receives adequate medical attention under “strict security protocol.”
Over the years, South-East leaders, rights advocates, and religious bodies have repeatedly appealed for Kanu’s release or medical parole. His detention remains a sore point in the region’s political discourse.
Tuesday’s altercation between Aguocha and Abbas underscores deepening regional mistrust, political caution, and institutional hesitancy surrounding the Kanu question.
Analysts believe the confrontation reflects the widening fault lines between national leadership and regional sentiment, especially as the Tinubu administration seeks to consolidate political goodwill in the South-East.
A senior political commentator told Premium Times:
> “What happened on the House floor is symbolic — it shows how sensitive the Nnamdi Kanu issue has become. Even a humanitarian appeal now feels like a political landmine. The government’s response, or lack of it, could shape perceptions of fairness and inclusion in the months ahead.”
For Speaker Abbas, the incident presents a delicate leadership test — balancing the procedural sanctity of parliament with the moral weight of human rights advocacy. For Aguocha, it marks a defining moment in his legislative career — one that may win him sympathy at home but ruffle feathers at the center.
As Kanu’s health remains uncertain, the question lingers in political circles: Will Nigeria’s parliament rise above politics to address a humanitarian plea, or will silence once again be the loudest sound in Abuja?
PIONEER NEWS 