Influential Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi says he is prepared to champion a pardon for Nnamdi Kanu, the convicted leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), on the condition that Kanu publicly demonstrates remorse for his past statements and actions.
Kanu was last Thursday convicted on seven counts of terrorism by the Federal High Court in Abuja and handed a life sentence.
Speaking in an interview with Channels Television, Gumi insisted that reconciliation and non-kinetic strategies remain Nigeria’s most effective tools for resolving internal conflicts. He argued that the same approach should be extended to Kanu if the IPOB leader is willing to change course.
“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 at the forefront in calling for his pardon and amnesty,” he said.
The cleric referenced historical precedents to support his position, noting that previous Nigerian administrations had opted for reconciliation over confrontation.
“Look, Shagari, our president, we are from the same town. Shagari gave amnesty to Ojukwu,” he said. “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.”
Gumi, who has repeatedly encouraged non-military measures in addressing insecurity — particularly in northern Nigeria — maintained that Nigeria stands to gain from an approach rooted in dialogue rather than force.
“This is how we are,” he emphasised, reiterating that national healing requires difficult but deliberate choices.
