Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has stated that he would support calls for the release of Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) leader Nnamdi Kanu, but only if Kanu demonstrates genuine remorse for his past actions.
Kanu was convicted on seven counts of terrorism by the Federal High Court in Abuja. Speaking on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief, Gumi said:
“This Kanu, imprisoned for terrorism for agitating that our soldiers should be killed, if he now shows remorse and calls for peace, I will be at the forefront in calling for his pardon and amnesty.”
Gumi drew historical parallels to past acts of clemency in Nigeria, noting:
“Shagari gave amnesty to Ojukwu, and Umar Yar’Adua granted amnesty to Niger Delta militants who had committed acts of terrorism. This is the approach we should take now.”
A long-time advocate for non-kinetic approaches to insecurity, Gumi emphasised that Nigeria would benefit from peaceful resolutions rather than relying solely on military action. He argued:
“Even America could not succeed in Afghanistan; even Israel could not succeed in a small strip of land. Our army is not designed for guerrilla warfare, and no army is.”
He also referenced other groups, including Fulani herdsmen, Boko Haram, and IPOB, highlighting the challenges of negotiating peace.
“Anybody who inclines toward peace, I’m with him,” he said.
Gumi’s remarks come amid a surge in insecurity across Nigeria, with mass abductions of schoolchildren and attacks on worshippers reported in several states.
While President Bola Tinubu has directed security forces to apprehend the perpetrators, opposition figures continue to criticise the government’s response as insufficient.
