President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has been urged not to allow himself to be held hostage by those bent on continuous incarceration of the leader of the Independent People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
House of Representatives member representing, Umuahia North/Umuahia South/Ikwuano Federal Constituency of Abia State, Hon. Obi Aguocha noted that it behooves President Tinubu to toe the path of inclusion and dialogue which remains the panacea for peace in the South East geo-political zone of the country.
The lawmaker said as the direct representative of Nnamdi Kanu, he remains available to engage and facilitate meaningful dialogue for the resolution of the imbroglio.
Aguocha in a statement in Abuja while reacting to comments attributed to former President Muhammadu Buhari, that he had the option of eliminating Nnamdi Kanu but chose to get him arrested.
Buhari’s former spokesman, Femi Adesina, in a new book unveiled recently, had quoted the former president as saying bringing Kanu back to face trial in Nigeria was a favour.
According to Adesina, Buhari said the Federal Government had the option to eliminate Kanu, but thought bringing him back to Nigeria to face trial was the best option.
However, Aguocha said the remarks by former President Buhari regarding Kanu’s handling are deeply concerning.
The lawmaker said suggesting that the elimination of a citizen was an option, even in retrospect, is alarming and raises serious questions about the commitment to the rule of law and human rights.
He said in a democratic society, it is fundamental that all individuals, irrespective of their actions or positions, are treated according to the law.
“The suggestion of ‘elimination’ as a viable option undermines the principles of justice and due process,” he said.
Aguocha said it is imperative that leaders adhere to and promote these values, ensuring that all actions, especially those concerning life and liberty, are grounded in legality and respect for human rights.
“The Supreme Court of Nigeria, in its recent judgment, roundedly condemned Buhari’s government, the attack on the home of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, and also his rendition from Kenya. For the former president to summarily suggest that being subjected to such illegality was a favour for a citizen is totally reckless and reeks of all things personal vendetta, and so far from the high standards of civility expected from a leader.
“President Buhari should rather come clean by confessing all he used his office to do to Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and the South East. Nobody, including Femi Adesina and his principal, should play God in respect of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
“There is obviously an inordinate obsession in the former president seeing Mazi Nnamdi Kanu in detention because of his personal prejudice. The Buhari government failed and or refused to obey all the orders in favour of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu granted by courts of competent jurisdiction, so that any remark suggesting that Buhari rather than eliminate Mazi Nnamdi Kanu preferred that the matter be determined by the courts is an attempt to launder the image of an oppressor into a benevolent president.
“The president only used the judicial system to victimise Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and the South East. Otherwise, why couldn’t the government establish a crime by leading credible evidence in court against Mazi Nnamdi Kanu for all the years. By the way, wasn’t it the failed attempt at eliminating Mazi Nnamdi Kanu in his village that forced the gentleman to escape from Nigeria.
“Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is a victim of President Buhari’s ill will and hatred against the ‘Dot’ people.”
