Controversial Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has stated he will only champion the release of IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu if the detained separatist shows remorse.
Speaking on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Tuesday, Gumi also defended his advocacy for non-kinetic approaches to addressing insecurity in Northern Nigeria caused by terrorists and bandits.
Last week, Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja convicted Kanu on seven terrorism-related counts, sentencing him to life imprisonment and 20 years concurrently. Kanu has been transferred from DSS custody in Abuja to Nigerian Correctional Centre in Sokoto state.
The cleric criticized Kanu for allegedly advocating violence against Nigerian soldiers but expressed willingness to support his release under certain conditions. He referenced historical precedents of Northern leaders granting amnesty to agitators, including former President Shagari’s pardon of Ojukwu and President Yar’Adua’s amnesty for Niger Delta militants.
Gumi argued that military solutions have proven ineffective globally, citing examples from Afghanistan and Israel, and emphasized that negotiations with groups willing to pursue peace should be prioritized over kinetic operations.
