Nnamdi kanu
* Calls for political solution, negotiated settlement, amnesty
*Optimistic of peace and reconciliation
By John Egie
President Bola Tinubu, the Council of State, credible statemen and all who are interested in cohesion and inclusivity have been called to rise to the occasion to reduce the tension created by the conviction and sentencing to life imprisonment of Nnamdi Kanu by Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja as inaction in response to the judgement may aggravate the very bad situation of present day Nigeria which is facing severe economic hardship, insecurity and consequences of poor governance.
The call was made by His Excellency, Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Labour Party in the 2023 presidential election and former governor of Anambra state; in his verified X (formerly Twitter) handle, yesterday.
Peter Obi said he has always maintained that Mazi Kanu should never have been arrested stating that Kanu’s arrest, detention, and now conviction represent a failure of leadership and a misunderstanding of the issues at stake.
He argued that dialogue, constructive engagement, and inclusive governance offer the path to lasting peace, pointing out that coercion becomes necessary only when reason has been exhausted.
” In this case, I submit that reason was only not exhausted, but was probably not explored at all, or not fully explored.”
According to him, the concerns Kanu raised were not unheard of and the issues for which he demanded solutions were not insoluble.
“What was required was wisdom, empathy, and a willingness to listen”, he opined, adding that in any functional society, “such grievances are met with dialogue and reforms aimed at strengthening unity.”
Regrettably, he said the government’s approach in the Nnamdi Kanu’s case has only deepened mistrust and created an avoidable distraction at a time when citizens are overwhelmed by harsh economic realities and insecurity.
” While some may insist that “the law has taken its course,” leadership often demands more than a strict, mechanical application of the law”, Obi mused.
He emphasized that Nations around the world resort to “political solutions, negotiated settlements, and even amnesty when legal processes alone cannot serve the broader interest of peace and stability”, and Nigeria should not be an exception in that sense.
He described President Tinubu government’s handling of the Kanu’s case as a man trapped in a hole but who, instead of looking for a way out, keeps digging deeper and hence, worsens not only the government’s predicament but also the nation’s collective condition.
” If we truly desire a new Nigeria – a united, peaceful, and progressive one, our leaders must choose healing over hostility, reconciliation over retaliation, and dialogue over division. Only by addressing grievances with justice, fairness, and compassion can we move towards a future where every Nigerian feels heard, valued, and safe.
Without prejudice to feelings of the decision of the court, Peter Obi expressed optimism for peace and reconciliation at the end of the day, the basis for the ultimate call.
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