FORMER Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has advocated a political solution to the conundrum presented due to the incarceration of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and other associated issues.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential flag-bearer in the 2023 election made the call even as he condemned the killing of some soldiers in the Aba area of Abia State during Thursday’s sit-at-home exercise.
On 30 May 2024, five soldiers of the Nigerian Army were killed allegedly by members of IPOB at Obikabia junction in Aba, Abia State. However, the group has denied any involvement in the gruesome murder. It had earlier ordered total compliance with its sit-at-home directive in commemoration of Biafra Day.
However, reacting to the development on Friday, Atiku implicitly asked Tinubu’s government to release the leader of IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu as it is a panacea to the insecurity in the region.
“I think the time has come to explore a political resolution to the Nnamdi Kanu and other associated issues. I believe that this will diffuse the compressor cooker situation in the region. It will be a win-win for all parties,” he posted on his X handle.
Atiku also lamented the impact of the sit-at-home order on the conduct of the West African Examinations Council, WAEC, exam across the Southeast.
He said; “The violence that led to the killing of soldiers and civilians in Abia State on Thursday stands condemned.
“My thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of those who may have lost a loved one. May their souls rest in peace. But even more profound is the impact of yesterday’s sit-at-home in the Southeast region of our country on students writing WAEC examinations.
“The veil of the so-called Unknown Gun Men hiding undercover to unleash death and mayhem must be lifted to ensure that criminal elements are separated from legitimate agitators.
“To this end, without prejudice to the ongoing legal processes, I think the time has come to explore a political resolution to the Nnamdi Kanu and other associated issues. I believe that this will diffuse the compressor cooker situation in the region. It will be a win-win for all parties.”
Kanu has been in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) since June 2021 when he was forcibly returned to Nigeria from Kenya to face terrorism charges against him.
Following the development, a trial court, on 29 June 2021, remanded him in custody of DSS, where he remained till date.
On 8 April 2022, the court struck out eight out of the 15-count charges that the federal government preferred against him on the premise that they lacked substance.
Likewise, the Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal, on 13 October 2022, ordered Kanu’s immediate release from detention even as it quashed the charge against him.
Dissatisfied with the decision, FG took the matter before the Supreme Court, even as it persuaded the appellate court to suspend the execution of its judgment, pending the determination of its appeal.
While deciding the appeal, the Supreme Court, on 15 December 2023, vacated the judgment of the appellate court and gave the federal government the nod to try the IPOB leader on the subsisting seven-count charge.
Eighteen-Eleven Media