Nnamdi Kanu, others' trial'll compound agitations —Afenifere

THE pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, has warned that the trial of IPoB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, and persecution of other self-determination agitators, is an ill wind that will blow the Muhammadu Buhari administration and Nigeria no good.

In a statement by its General Secretary, Sola Ebiseni, Afenifere said: “Without prejudice to the determination of the case by the court, it is clear that its end will certainly compound agitations on the national question, an ill-wind that will blow the Buhari administration and Nigeria no good.”

The statement reads: “With the amended seven-count charge against Nnamdi Kanu, as released by the press, it appears the Federal Government has come to its wit’s end in the case with the Biafran leader and self-determination agitations generally. 

“It is time that the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami, exercises authoritative superintendence over his office as the Chief Law Officer and Adviser of the Federal Government in a way that the interest of the nation may be served than indulging in petty politicking to massage the ego and pander to the personal idiosyncrasies of the President.

“For instance, the alleged name-calling of Muhammadu Buhari, in April 2015, even before he became the President, would ordinarily be ignored as childish vulgar abuse unworthy of a high profile criminal prosecution.

“In all the other charges, Kanu is either being prosecuted for alleged statements made in a foreign land as alleged Leader of the proscribed IPOB inciting secession from Nigeria or threatened that anyone who flouted his sit-at-home order should prepare his or her will.”

“The outcome of this prosecution which is lacking in statesmanship and nobility of character, whichever way it goes, will only enhance the image of the Defendant and in the worst possibility even of conviction, increase his status as a prisoner of conscience. 

“Those who opine that if anything happens to Kanu, that the agitation associated with him would suffer or that others would thereby be deterred are merely deceiving themselves and government."

“A government that admits that the mere words of Kanu have become law, either by legitimate obedience or fear, even while in detention, should think out of the box.

“The appropriate mindset is to admit that Nigeria, like a wobbling contraption of entrenched nationalities, is negotiable and that negotiations do not necessarily lead to dismemberment. Let the dialogue begin now”, the statement added.

Culled from Vanguard