Otunba Segun Showunmi, the former spokesperson to People’s Democratic Party’s (PDP) Presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to consider political solution in the case of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
Showunmi, the chief promoter of the Alternative Movement, stated this while speaking in Abeokuta during the “Guest Forum” organised by the Correspondents Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ogun State council, Monday.
Kanu who was convicted by a Federal High Court in Abuja on seven counts terrorism-related charges has since been moved to the Sokoto state correctional center on a life sentence.
Justice James Omotosho held that the prosecution succeeded in proving that Kanu’s broadcasts in support of Biafra incited violence and contributed to killings in parts of the country.
Showunmi however maintained that the country had long moved past the civil war and should avoid actions that deepen mistrust, adding that releasing Kanu would help de-escalate insecurity in the South East rather than fuel agitation.
“The civil war is long over and it needs to be over. There can be no justification for the killings of Igbos in Igboland under whatever guise.
“I call on the Federal Government and President Bola Tinubu that, for the benefit of this nation and the people we have lost to keeping this country together, we plead that we are now due for a political solution to Kanu’s case.
“We want the Igbos to understand that there is no conspiracy to do them injustice. We must be willing to look for a political solution because a greater good of the country is served if he is released than keeping him behind bars.
“By leaving him behind bars, we are energising that audience that is just misbehaving and killing people in the South-East”, he said
On the judgment, Showunmi said the legal process should run its course but dismissed claims of ethnic or political bias.
“It is only the Court of Appeal that can determine if there is a miscarriage of justice or not in the case, but let nobody imagine that there is any tribalism or otherwise in that judgement,” he added
Speaking earlier, the Acting Chairman of the Chapel, Peter Moses, said the “Guest Forum” was designed to create avenues for constructive public engagement with policymakers and influential voices on issues that affect the society.
He noted that journalists have a duty beyond daily reporting to facilitate conversations that help deepen democratic values.
