Why Nnamdi Kanu should not be re-arrested - Col Umar
- Col. Abubakar Dangiwa Umar has advised President Buhari not to re-arrest Nnamdi Kanu
- He said his agitation was for the benefit of Igbo people
- He noted that every citizen must be treated fairly before they will accept Nigeria's unity
Col. Abubakar Dangiwa Umar has advised the President Muhammadu Buhari-led federal government not to revoke the bail granted to Nnamdi Kanu describing it as dangerous.
There has been report that the federal government had called for the re-arrest of the leader of the Indigenous People Of Biafra (IPOB) but the former military administrator of Kaduna state has urged the president to handle the matter gently.
READ ALSO: PDP moves to woo Dangote for 2019 presidential election
Col. Umar who is the chairman of Movement for Unity and Progress described Kanu as a bitter young man fighting for the interest of Igbo people.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, August 30, the retired military administrator noted that the president’s involvement in the civil war was responsible for his interest in keeping the country united but said this can only be achieved when every citizen is treated fairly.
He said: “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 who 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.
“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.
PAY ATTENTION: Read the news on Nigeria’s #1 new app
“It will be a tragic mistake to treat them as common criminals. It is evident that they are fighting a cause millions consider entirely legitimate.
“Until our democracy learns to accommodate dissent, vigorous, robust, even if inconvenient, it will be incapable of serving our common good.”
Meanwhile, governors in the south-eastern part of Nigeria are reportedly meeting Kanu in Enugu.
Legit.ng learnt that the meeting, which is holding inside the Enugu Government House, also has His Royal Highness, Eze Israel Okwu Kanu, the father of the IPOB leader, in attendance.
Watch a Legit.ng TV video below of Kanu speaking about his Biafra agitation:
Source: Legit.ng
