KADUNA: Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi says he is willing to champion calls for the release of Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) leader Nnamdi Kanu
but only if the separatist agitator expresses remorse for his past actions.Kanu was convicted by the Federal High Court in Abuja on seven counts of terrorism.
But speaking in a Television programme, Gumi argued that Nigeria should adopt dialogue-based solutions in handling armed conflicts and separatist agitation.
According to him, remorse and a commitment to peaceful conduct would make the case for Kanu’s pardon easier.
Kanu was imprisoned for terrorism, for encouraging attacks on soldiers. But if today he shows remorse and calls for peace, I will be in the forefront of advocating for his pardon and amnesty, Gumi said.
He referenced past instances where federal administrations pardoned individuals involved in major national conflicts.
President Shagari granted amnesty to Ojukwu. Umaru Musa Yar’Adua also pardoned Niger Delta militants who had committed acts of terrorism. This is how Nigeria has resolved crises in the past, he said.
Gumi doubled down on his long-standing argument that military force alone cannot end Nigeria’s security crises. He said that many armed groups including insurgents and militant herder groups have signaled willingness to dialogue if approached correctly.
We have people ready to drop their arms. Why must the solution always be kinetic? Even the strongest armies struggle with guerrilla warfare. Nigeria’s situation cannot be solved by force alone, he said.
He questioned whether other violent groups, including IPOB and Boko Haram, would embrace dialogue today, but maintained that he supports any group or individual willing to choose peace.
Gumi’s comments come amid a surge in violent attacks and mass abductions across several states.
Dozens of schoolchildren and worshippers have been kidnapped in recent weeks, raising concerns about nationwide security preparedness.
President Bola Tinubu has ordered security agencies to track down and neutralise the perpetrators, but critics say the government’s response has been slow and inadequate.
