Key stakeholders in the South east and South west geo-political zones have applauded the contemplation of the Federal government to adopt a political approach to resolve its feud with the separatist group leaders – Nnamdi Kanu and Sunday Igboho.
The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN) gave the hint that “the Federal Government has been using the amnesty policy to tackle some security challenges in the country and as such, the possibility of a political solution cannot be ruled out.”
Igboho, who spoke through his lawyer, Chief Yomi Aliyu (SAN); Ohanaeze Ndigbo through its National Publicity Secretary, Chiedozie Alex Ogbonnia, and the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Chief Gani Adams, described the suggestion by Malami as a pointer to a possible quick solution to the impasse.
Igboho, on Friday, said that it is noteworthy that the government seemed to be on the way to allowing reason to prevail, pointing out that “no force on earth can subdue the mantra of self-determination.”
In the statement signed his counsel, Igboho said as a peace-loving person, he is “glad that the Federal government has allowed reasons to prevail in realising that no force on earth can subdue the mantra of self-determination by an indigenous people save referendum and/or sense of belonging and fair treatment of all tribes in accordance with the rule of law.”
He argued that intimidation by imprisonment in foreign land “generally regarded as the 37th State of Nigeria” cannot help the situation “but respect for the rule of law as espoused in the N20.5 billion judgment in favour of our client.”
He said: “The imprisonment is making him more resolute in seeking self-determination for his Yoruba indigenous tribe. Hence, as a mark of good faith, Nigeria should start with instructing its “vassal” state to release our client and allow him to embark on his medical trip to Germany.
“The Republic of Benin has not been able to charge our client for any criminal offence for the over three months that they have held him illegally in their prison in Cotonou. We have his mandate to enter into any binding agreement on his behalf that will also be acceptable to his Oodua Nation Group.”
Ohanaeze Ndigbo commended the Federal government for contemplating a political solution to the agitation and the release of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu. Ohanaeze Ndigbo, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Chiedozie Alex Ogbonnia, commended President Muhammadu Buhari for contemplating a political solution for the release of the IPOB leader, Kanu and the Yoruba Nation agitator, Sunday Igboho.
Ogbonnia said the president of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Professor George Obiozor, had on several occasions advised the Federal Government “to learn a lesson from history by not fighting an unwinnable war against nationalism but seek possible peaceful options that are the only solution that guarantees national unity and peaceful coexistence.”
He contended that “in a diverse multiethnic society such as Nigeria, issues of alienation, marginalisation, agitations and inter-ethnic conflicts must of necessity arise. It is very appropriate that dialogue and other forms of conflict resolution mechanisms are spontaneously activated to address such issues as they arise.”
Ohanaeze said Malami’s thought on the option of political solution to the security challenges in Nigeria “reflects the views of Ohanaeze Ndigbo that the Igbo nation is not at war with Nigeria and has nothing pending before any institutional authority that demands a separate existence from Nigeria.
The common Igbo refrain is equity and justice. Therefore, it is hoped that political solution to the current security challenges will go a long way in sustaining the corporate existence of Nigeria.”
The Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Chief Gani Adams, said political resolution of the cases against Igboho and Kanu is a welcome development.
He said: “And for the Federal Government to choose that option is a welcome development because the Federal Government is one that has that power to resolve that issue politically, without subjecting them to continued trial. So, I believe the statement coming from the Attorney-General is a welcome development.
“We are happy the statement is coming from the Attorney-General or from the Office of the Attorney General. He is in charge of Nigeria’s laws; he speaks with the approval of the presidency,” he added.
He, however, decried the manner the proceedings against Kanu has been going in the court, saying it is not possible to try the IPOB leader secretly because “we are not in the military era; we are in a democracy and under a civilian government.”
– Media Report