Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has said he would back a presidential pardon for detained IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu, but only if Kanu expresses remorse and openly advocates peace.
Gumi made the remarks on Tuesday during an interview on Channels Television’s Morning Brief, where he discussed ongoing security challenges across the country.
Kanu, according to Vanguard, was convicted by the Federal High Court in Abuja on seven terrorism-related charges, including incitement of attacks on security operatives.
Gumi stated, “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.
“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.”
Reiterating his long-held stance, Gumi emphasised that Nigeria must lean more on non-kinetic strategies to tackle insecurity, particularly in the North. He argued that meaningful dialogue would yield better results for national stability than relying solely on military action.
He queried the government’s approach, saying, “We have people who are ready to put down their arms, then why do you always decide it has to be kinetic?”
Gumi cited global examples to stress his point, “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 added that some groups have shown willingness to negotiate, “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.
“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.”
