AfriPulse
From Isaac Ojo, Ifeoma Ejiofor
The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Amb Bianca Odumegwu Ojukwu has declared empathically that the life jail slammed on Mazi Nnamdi Kanu “is not the outcome we prayed for, but it is a reality that is now upon us”.
Amb Bianca Odumegwu Ojukwu pointed out that there comes a time in the history of a people when there is need for calm.
” There is utmost need to exercise restraint in response to this situation.
All actions which could be deemed incendiary, and which might escalate the situation at home or in the diaspora should be curtailed. A word is enough for the wise.
“This situation requires careful reflection and constructive dialogue involving all Igbo stakeholders, Governors, senators, Members of the House of Representatives, clergy, traditional rulers, politicians and business people to engage with government authorities collectively.
“Beating the drums of fury and sabre rattling will only generate diminishing returns, and in the worst case scenario, yet another wasteland.
“I would like to reassure Ndigbo, Nigerians and our foreign partners that there are still prospects of resolving this impasse in a manner that reduces national anxiety and societal trauma. I oblige everyone to remain calm and patient.
Similarly, the Senator representing Anambra Central at the red chamber of the National Assembly, Sen Victor Umeh has condemned the life jail conviction of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
Sen Umeh described it as an outcome created by years of government mismanagement and refusal to use dialogue when it mattered most.
He explained that anyone who followed the legal and political trajectory of the case would not be surprised by the verdict.
“Agitation in the South East began as a completely peaceful movement in 2016, supported by respected Igbo leaders and driven by genuine complaints of marginalization.
“The turning point was the Nkpor massacre, where security forces opened fire on peaceful IPOB protesters who had shown no signs of violence.” He recalled.
Sen Umeh pointed out that instead of addressing the grievances, the government escalated the situation by proscribing IPOB through a court order, a move he said he opposed at the Senate.
Umeh who recalled all the efforts made towards a peaceful resolution of the imbroglio insisted that the life-imprisonment sentence does not solve anything and remains contrary to the sentiments of over 90% of Igbo people.
In his own reaction, the former governor of Anambra State and the Presidential Candidate of Labour Party (LP) in the last general elections, Mr Peter Obi has also condemned the conviction of MNK.
He said as matter of fact that the leader of IPOB shouldn’t have been arrested in the first instance.
“At a Time Like This. The news of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s conviction should compel every well-meaning Nigerian to pause and reflect. This is coming at a time when our beloved nation is facing severe economic hardship, insecurity, and the consequences of poor governance.
“Rather than reducing tension, this unfortunate development may well only aggravate it.
“For years, I have consistently argued that dialogue, constructive engagement, and inclusive governance offer the path to lasting peace. Coercion becomes necessary only when reason has been exhausted. In this case,
“I submit that the reason was not only not exhausted, but was probably not explored at all, or not fully explored.
“The concerns Kanu raised were not unheard of. The issues for which he demanded solutions were not insoluble. It only required wisdom, empathy, and a willingness to listen. In any functional society, such grievances are met with dialogue and reforms aimed at strengthening unity………..” He said.
Source: Authorityngr.com | Read the Full Story…
