A former Minority Leader of the Senate, Enyinnaya Abaribe, has expressed sadness over the conviction and life prison sentence on Nnamdi Kanu for terrorism, saying the outcome is not surprising to him.
Abaribe conveyed his views through statement issued on Thursday by his Media Adviser, Uchenna Awom, in Abuja.
He said the life sentence handed down to Kanu had long been anticipated, describing it as an outcome many people had predicted. According to him, the concerns raised by various leaders during Kanu’s trial indicated that the final judgment was foreseeable.
The Senator recalled earlier appeals for the Federal government to consider extending amnesty to Nnamdi Kanu in line with measures granted to other groups in the past. He said the refusal to consider such pleas made Thursday’s judgment expected.
He noted: “Many Nigerians had observed the contrast between engagements with armed groups in the North-East and North-West, as well as amnesty programmes in the South-South. This has led to concerns about fairness and equal treatment.”
Abaribe said while the development was disappointing to many, he urged people to remain calm and continue to hope for a justice system that commands broad confidence.
He added that the matter now rests with President Bola Tinubu, expressing optimism that the President would consider national unity and inclusion in any further decisions.
“We must remain calm and pray. May Nigeria succeed, thrive and advance in justice, equity and fairness,” he said.