Show Remorse, Call for Peace, and I’ll Back Your Pardon – Sheikh Gumi to Kanu

Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has expressed support for a potential pardon for Nnamdi Kanu, the convicted leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), provided Kanu shows genuine remorse and publicly calls for peace.

Gumi made the remarks on Tuesday during an appearance on Channels Television’s Morning Brief, where he spoke on Nigeria’s security challenges.

“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,” Gumi said.

He cited historical examples, noting that former Nigerian leaders had granted amnesty to individuals or groups who had committed acts of violence. “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,” he added.

Reiterating his belief that dialogue should take precedence over force in tackling insecurity, Gumi emphasized that non-kinetic approaches could make Nigeria safer.

“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 gorilla; no army is designed for the kind of people we are showing now,” he said.

Gumi also highlighted the willingness of some groups, such as Fulani herdsmen, to pursue peace if properly engaged, stressing the importance of reconciliation. “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,” he concluded.

Nnamdi Kanu was convicted by the Federal High Court in Abuja on seven counts of terrorism, including inciting attacks on security personnel, according to previous reports.