Controversial Islamic cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi, has disclosed his readiness to support the push for the freedom of Nnamdi Kanu, if the jailed leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) would show remorse for his actions and call for peace.
Naija News reports that Gumi disclosed on Tuesday during an interview on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief.
The cleric argued that Kanu can still obtain amnesty, as some people deemed to have engaged in actions against the state got amnesty from various leaders.
Gumi also declared his support for non-kinetic approaches to be adopted in the fight against insecurity in Nigeria.
“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,” Gumi submitted.
Gumi suggested that the war against bandits and criminals in the country would be more successful if the government could adopt a non-kinetic approach to resolving security issues, especially in the northern parts of Nigeria.
“We have people who are ready to put down their arms, then why do you always decide it has to be kinetic?”
“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 guerrilla; no army is designed for the kind of people we are showing now, no army is designed for it.
“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,” Gumi said.
