Popular Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has defended his advocacy for a non-kinetic strategy in tackling insecurity, saying he is willing to lead calls for the release of the convicted leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, if the IPOB leader expresses remorse.
THE PEOPLE’S INSIGHT reports that Kanu was on Thursday convicted on seven counts of terrorism by the Federal High Court in Abuja and sentenced to life imprisonment.
However, while reacting to the development on Tuesday’s edition of Channels Television’s The Morning Brief, Gumi said that if the IPOB leader shows regret for his statements and actions, he will join those pushing for his pardon.
“This Kanu that was imprisoned for terrorism for agitating that our soldiers should be killed, if this same Kanu now will show remorse and also call for peace, honestly, I will be in the forefront in calling for his pardon and amnesty for him.”
He added, “Look, Shagari, our president, we are from the same town. Shagari gave amnesty to Ojukwu. Look at Umar Yar’Adua; he gave amnesty to the Niger Delta militants, who have also committed acts of terrorism. So, this is how we are.”
Gumi, who has consistently urged governments to adopt non-kinetic measures to address security challenges, particularly in the northern region, said Nigeria would be safer under such an approach.
He argued that with individuals willing to lay down their arms, there is no need to rely solely on force.
“Even America could not succeed in Afghanistan, even Israel could not succeed in a small strip of land. Our army is not designed for the gorilla; no army is designed for the kind of people we are showing now, no army is designed for it,” he said.
“If you have been following, the Fulani herdsmen have been calling for peace. When you call them for peace, they come with their guns for many reasons,” he added.
“Can you call IPOB for peace? Can you call Boko Haram? I think the former president has called for peace, and they came, but now it’s difficult to call for peace again. So, anybody who inclines to peace. I’m with him, I’m telling you.”
About the Author
