Inside Nigeria
Kanu Is Not A Common Criminal As The Govt Thinks, Plan To Rearrest Him Unwise – Umar
Abubakar Umar, a former military governor of Kaduna state, says Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), is not a common criminal as the government “appears to think”.
He also warned the federal government against re-arresting Kanu.
On Monday, the office of the attorney-general of the federation (AGF) filed an application for the revocation of Kanu’s bail at a federal high court in Abuja.
According to the AGF, the IPOB leader has flouted all the conditions for release.
Binta Nyako, justice of the court, had granted Kanu bail on stringent terms. One of the conditions of his bail is that he must not be in a gathering of more than 10 people and that he must not grant interviews. But Kanu has been granting interviews to the press. He has also been seen in the company of a multitude of his supporters.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Umar, who is the chairman of the Movement for Unity and Progress, said the plan to revoke Kanu’s bail was dangerous and politically unwise.
He also asked the government not to treat Kanu and his supporters as common criminals because they are fighting for a fair deal for the Igbo in Nigeria.
“Reports in the media indicate that the federal government has asked the federal high court in Abuja to revoke the bail granted Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and have him re-arrested. This is both dangerous and politically unwise. Mazi Kanu is not a common criminal as the government appears to think. On the contrary, he is a bitter young man fighting for a fairer deal for his Igbo kinsmen,” he said.
“His seeming militant approach is the result of the strong arm tactics with which the federal government deals with him. His long incarceration before a court granted him bail testifies to this.
“Like Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, many Igbo genuinely feel marginalised since they belong to the category of those who gave Mr President only 5 percent of their votes and appeared to have fallen out of his favour.
“President Buhari’s insistence that the unity of Nigeria is a settled issue is a nationalistic wish and is no surprise coming from a veteran of civil war fought to keep the country one. However, this does not take into account the mood of the nation as indicated by the growing agitations for self-determination, restructuring and many other similar demands. If indeed the president is able to ignore and silence those agitators, it will be a case of suspended animation. All indications are that Nigeria has become so polarised that it requires a strong personality like General Buhari to sustain its fragile unity. Needless to say that this does not bode well for the survival of the nation.
“Most Nigerians are convinced of the need to maintain Nigeria’s unity, cognisant of the enormous benefits all sections drive from a large, diverse and resource rich country. The federation also provides a security umbrella to all the federating units which enhance their survivability and prosperity. It is difficult to see how any of them can fare better out of the federation. But the fact that there are growing agitations for self-determination, restructuring and other similar demands speak gravely of the way the federation is being governed. Nigeria’s unity can only be guaranteed when all its citizens feel they are getting a fair deal; when all its component parts are treated justly and equitably. When none feels oppressed.
“Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, Adeyanju and other similar agitators might seem like felons or even anarchists. But as often happens over humanity’s turbulent history, appearances can be deceitful. One man’s terrorist could well be another man’s freedom fighter. In any event, despite what the security agencies might feel, there is nothing to fear from Mazi Kanu. He and his compatriots are people who love their country dearly and are willing to take a risk with their lives while blowing a whistle on some of our bad habits.”
Umar said it would be a tragic mistake to treat Kanu and his supporters as common criminals because it was evident that they are fighting a cause millions of people consider as legitimate.
“Until our democracy learns to accommodate dissent, vigorous, robust, even if inconvenient, it will be incapable of serving our common good,” he added.
Umar was the military administrator of Kaduna state from I985 to 1988 under the Ibrahim Babangida regime.
Christopher Leonard
August 30, 2017 at 7:25 pm
Even some cow’s Don dey get brain
Chukwu Obasi
August 30, 2017 at 7:25 pm
For once and Hausa man to be reasonable in his speech
Attah David
August 30, 2017 at 6:16 pm
Good talk by Umar
Ernest Jombo
August 30, 2017 at 6:00 pm
Master, God shall bless u more because u are always saying the truth. Evil can never come ur ways again, even when it came, u surpassed it. U have been an inspirations to some of us when u were a military administrator. God bless ur entire house holds sir
Titus Okpala
August 30, 2017 at 5:22 pm
Why can’t federal government look for better ways to solve the problem amicably
Okuta Ken
August 30, 2017 at 4:50 pm
Hausa Fulani and illiteracy is like brothers n sisters. Just reading their comments here attest to that
Onyemaechi Tony
August 30, 2017 at 4:24 pm
Thanks UMAR, for speaking out loud. GOD almighty will keep & uphold you for been truthful.
Ejike Boniface
August 30, 2017 at 4:21 pm
I disagree with Umar, Kanu is and has not been a criminal talk more of being a common one. You either amend your statement or get a name tag that will hunt you throughout your life career
CDray Mc
August 30, 2017 at 4:12 pm
True talk
Golden Ezieme
August 30, 2017 at 3:43 pm
Everyday Nnamdi Kanu this, Nnamdi Kanu that, from the senseless northern region. Are you afraid again ? Go and arrest him nah if you can. The able young man is there in IMO state waiting majestically to be arrested. A man that defeated FG and fearlessly told your President is a (MAD MAN). We shall see who wins at the end.
Martin Aghanya
August 30, 2017 at 3:29 pm
Kanu revolted on “#NON_VIOLENT” in his movement for #Biafra independent; yet, some braindrain COWARDS are asking for his head. That’s absolute madness.
Many said that Nigeria is one.; how are they sure? What after the #Referendum and the majority agrees for a separate nation? What after the referendum, the majority happens to be in Nigeria? Isn’t that a better process to determine the people’s opinion or views about something?
Referendum is done in every civilized society of the world and Nigeria cannot be in exception. Those who are against referendum are the people who have sworn to live and die in corruption bcos of what they get. They are also the people who doesn’t want the progress of Biafraland
Olisa Ojukwu
August 30, 2017 at 3:27 pm
One man wey pass government of Nigeria, Tompolo ran into hiding, Nnamdi Kanu doesn’t so relax like what I don’t know.
Okechukwu Chikezie
August 30, 2017 at 3:22 pm
So we finally find a Wiseman from the region of illiteracy and ignorance? To God be the glory.
Romani Nonyerem
August 30, 2017 at 3:11 pm
Confirmed! U have spoken like a man
Okoye Okwuolisa
August 30, 2017 at 3:09 pm
Kanu is leader to a people and should be treated with respect
Sunday Olinya
August 30, 2017 at 3:07 pm
That is the simple truth coming out from a northerner.
Chikodili Kingsley Nwamaradi
August 30, 2017 at 3:00 pm
Mazi d zoo must talk about Biafra’s
Princewel Jose
August 30, 2017 at 3:00 pm
Stop talking about nnamdi kanu leader of biafra please let court do there work
Samson Kanayo
August 30, 2017 at 2:56 pm
Don’t mind your brothers in daura making noise
Ali Jos Katsina
August 30, 2017 at 2:50 pm
Because you support criminal who doesn’t have any different with shekau
Donald Donadon
August 30, 2017 at 2:57 pm
How many of ur ppl have kanu killed
Abubakar Ahmad
August 30, 2017 at 2:50 pm
Who is this Umar? we completely disassociate ourselves with him. Kanu is a criminal
Samson Kanayo
August 30, 2017 at 2:55 pm
Umar is Anambra state commissioner a fulani man
Idam Sampson
August 30, 2017 at 2:59 pm
then go and arrest him
Mechelin Pat Pat
August 30, 2017 at 3:02 pm
Another cow
Ali Jos Katsina
August 30, 2017 at 2:48 pm
Umar you will know become a brother to igbo
Udochi Edey Nwakanma
August 30, 2017 at 3:03 pm
Voice of reasoning. Umar did not think like Hausa/Fulani. His thoughts are full of wisdom.
Edu Udousoro
August 30, 2017 at 2:48 pm
At least there is one reasonable person…he is not a common criminal and should not be rearrested.
Samson Kanayo
August 30, 2017 at 2:55 pm
Umar is Anambra state commissioner a fulani man
Donald Donadon
August 30, 2017 at 2:56 pm
Fulani must be dealt with
Edu Udousoro
August 30, 2017 at 2:56 pm
What’s the meaning @ Sampson?.
Austine Papilo
August 30, 2017 at 2:47 pm
Well spoken
Ugbala Joseph Uzoma
August 30, 2017 at 2:45 pm
nonsense Aboki