Former Presidential candidate of the National Conscience Party (NCP), Dr. Thomas-Wilson Ikubese, has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to grant presidential pardon to the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, right away.
He advised Buhari to look beyond prosecuting Kanu, adding that the Federal Government should use his re-arrest as an opportunity to negotiate the birth of a new functional Nigeria.
According to him, the IPOB leader is not alone in raging agitation for secession in the country, adding that if Kanu is put out of circulation, another leader might soon emerge to shoulder the struggle for Biafra.
The Federal High Court in Abuja had on Tuesday ordered that Kanu be remanded in a Department of State Service (DSS) facility, pending the determination of his trial.
Justice Binta Nyako gave the order after counsel to the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Shuaibu Labaran, told the court that the defendant (Kanu), who jumped bail, had been arrested and produced in court.
Ikubese disclosed this in a statement titled, “Nnamdi Kanu: An Opportunity for National Rebirth,” and issued to newsmen in Akure, the Ondo State capital.
The statement read, “Perhaps, the biggest news in Nigeria right now, is the re-arrest and arraignment of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
“Rather than stick strictly to the pursuit of the prosecution of Kanu, I am of the humble opinion that his re-arrest should be used to negotiate the birth of a new functional Nigeria.
“The Federal Government of Nigeria, however, needs to look beyond the prosecution of Kanu into the bigger picture.
“Kanu didn’t start the agitation for Biafra.
“There was Odumegwu Ojukwu of the Nigerian Army. There was Ralph Nwazuruike of MASSOB.
“Even if Kanu is put out of circulation, the spirit of Biafra will yet soar as another leader might soon emerge to shoulder the struggle, for the Igbos believe that the present polity of the Nigerian state as presently constituted, suppresses their development and liberty.
“Interestingly, Kanu enjoys massive followership of Igbos scattered across the globe who’re ready to continue to commit funds in hard currencies in support of the Biafran agitation.
“lf he’s taken out of circulation, these financiers will likely switch their funds to the next arrow head, who may now stay off public glare to avoid being targeted by the Nigerian government.
“But is Kanu the only person agitating for a breakaway republic?
“Sunday Adeyemo (Igboho) is championing a breakaway Oduduwa republic. The people of Niger Delta are agitating for their own nation. The people of the Middle Belt aren’t left behind in the quest for their own country.
“So, Kanu isn’t alone in this raging agitation for secession.
“Rather than stick strictly to the pursuit of the prosecution of Kanu, I am of the humble opinion that his re-arrest should be used to negotiate the birth of a new functional Nigeria.
“Recall that Militants in the Niger Delta were granted amnesty by President Musa Yaradua in 2009, in spite of the massive damage done to our oil installations.
“ln 2018 President Muhammadu Buhari promised to grant amnesty to members of the Boko Haram sect who’re ready to drop their arms and embrace peace, in spite of the massive killings.
“In like manner, I suggest that President Buhari grant Presidential Pardon to Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and call all other breakaway agitators and opinion leaders across the various regions to a round table to channel a new course for our nation, while the charge of treasonable felony against Omoyele Sowore is dropped.
“I personally don’t support the disintegration of Nigeria. I also don’t support a nation of unequals, where some feel like they are second class citizens.
“My advocacy is for a functional Nigerian state where true federalism is practiced and everyone feels a sense of belonging in a regional arrangement, where each region is overseen by a Prime Minister and the resources of each region is used for regional development and a percentage sent to the Federal Government while the Presidency is rotated amongst the Prime Ministers.”
