A coalition of Northern youths under the banner of the Arewa Youths for National Unity and Justice, comprising voices from the North East and North West geopolitical zones, has made a passionate appeal to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to consider granting presidential amnesty to detained Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP), Abba Kyari.
In an open letter jointly signed by its leaders, Dan Arewa and Dr. Sufi Abdullahi, and made available to journalists in Abuja on Sunday, the group called on President Tinubu to exercise mercy and statesmanship by facilitating a fair and humane resolution to Kyari’s case. The youth leaders stressed that such a move would send a powerful message of reconciliation, unity, and renewed trust, particularly to Northern communities that continue to feel politically marginalized.
“With utmost respect and patriotic concern, we write to Your Excellency to express our heartfelt plea regarding the state of the nation’s political and security climate as the 2027 general elections draw closer,” the letter began.
The group emphasized that DCP Kyari, despite his current legal travails, remains a figure of admiration across Northern Nigeria due to his past heroic efforts in combating crime and terrorism. They argued that his dedication to national security and his successful record in handling high-profile criminal cases should not be forgotten.
“Your Excellency, the continued detention of Deputy Commissioner of Police Abba Kyari has remained a subject of passionate discourse across the North,” the statement read. “While we recognize the imperative of upholding the rule of law, we also believe that justice must be tempered with mercy, strategic foresight, and political wisdom.”
The coalition pointed out that granting clemency, or at least exploring a lawful and fair resolution to his case, could play a pivotal role in healing regional divides, particularly as the Tinubu administration seeks broader national support in its second term bid.
“Many grassroots stakeholders and Northern youths still hold Kyari in high regard. A magnanimous gesture such as presidential amnesty would not be viewed as a weakness but rather as a mark of courageous and unifying leadership,” the coalition noted. “It will soften hardened hearts, bridge gaps of distrust, and potentially reshape the political narrative in the North in your favour.”
The letter further underscored that President Tinubu stands at a historic junction, with the opportunity to reinforce national unity through symbolic actions that resonate across political and regional divides.
“We share these thoughts with a strong sense of national responsibility, not to interfere with ongoing judicial processes, but to remind Your Excellency that history remembers great leaders not just for their policies, but for their ability to unite a fractured nation through wisdom, forgiveness, and inclusive vision,” it concluded.
As political conversations intensify ahead of the 2027 general elections, the call for DCP Abba Kyari’s amnesty is expected to generate national debate, particularly among security analysts, civil society organizations, and legal experts.
Kyari, a once-celebrated crime buster and former head of the Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT), has been in detention facing multiple charges. Despite the controversy surrounding his case, supporters across parts of Northern Nigeria continue to advocate for his release, citing his past record and perceived political undertones surrounding his prosecution.
