Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has declared that he is ready to spearhead efforts for a presidential pardon and amnesty for IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu — but only on one condition: that Kanu publicly expresses remorse and calls for peace.
Gumi made the remarks during a Tuesday appearance on Channels Television, where he reiterated his long-held belief that Nigeria’s security challenges are best addressed through dialogue rather than force. He emphasised that his stance is rooted not in support for criminals, but in a pragmatic approach aimed at restoring national stability.
Pointing to the widespread kidnappings and insurgencies troubling many parts of the country — including recent abductions in Kwara and other states — Gumi argued that the government’s heavy reliance on military action is flawed. He contended that Nigeria’s conventional army is not equipped to fight guerrilla-style conflicts effectively.
To underscore his point, Gumi cited historical precedents where contentious figures were granted amnesty: former President Shehu Shagari pardoned Biafra war leader Odumegwu Ojukwu, and President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua granted clemency to militants from the Niger Delta. He said a similar path could be trodden for Kanu — “if he truly renounces violence and embraces peace.”
In closing, the cleric reiterated his call for national reconciliation over continued confrontation, arguing that a united Nigeria can only emerge through understanding and negotiation — not perpetual conflict.
