Renowned Islamic scholar Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has said he is willing to champion calls for the release of detained IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu—on the condition that Kanu shows genuine remorse for his actions.
Gumi made the remarks on Tuesday during an appearance on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief, where he addressed renewed conversations about Kanu’s imprisonment following last week’s judgment by Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja. The court found Kanu guilty on all seven terrorism-related charges and handed him a life sentence. He has since been transferred to the Sokoto Prison facility.
Speaking in the interview monitored by Daily Post, Gumi said reconciliation and peace-building should be prioritised, adding that contrition from Kanu would open the door for forgiveness.
“If Nnamdi Kanu—who is in prison for terrorism and for threatening to kill our soldiers—shows remorse and seeks peace, I will personally lead the campaign for his pardon and amnesty,” he said.
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His comments come at a time when public debate remains sharply divided. While some Nigerians consider the conviction a necessary affirmation of state authority, others believe dialogue and political solutions are needed to ease long-standing tensions in the Southeast.
Gumi, who has in the past advocated negotiation as a tool for resolving conflicts, stressed that peace requires compromise but insisted that remorse must come first.