Showunmi: Keeping Kanu In Prison Fuels Violence In South-East

The Chief Promoter of the Alternative Movement, Segun Showunmi, has urged President Bola Tinubu to pursue a political solution in the case of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), who was recently sentenced to life imprisonment by a Federal High Court in Abuja.

Kanu was convicted on seven terrorism-related charges after the court found that his broadcasts advocating for Biafra incited violence and contributed to killings in parts of the country.

Following the ruling, the Department of State Services (DSS) transferred him to the Nigerian Correctional Centre in Sokoto.

Speaking on Monday at the “Guest Forum” organised by the Correspondents Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ogun State Council, Showunmi argued that a political resolution would better promote national unity and reduce tension in the South-East.

“The civil war is long over and it needs to be over. There can be no justification for the killings of Igbos in Igboland under whatever guise,” Showunmi said.

“Why don’t you let us find a way to collaborate among ourselves and shatter the glass ceiling which is the presidency?”

He further appealed to the Federal Government to consider Kanu’s release, saying it could help de-escalate insecurity in the region.

“We plead that we are now due for a political solution to Kanu’s case.

We want the Igbos to understand that there is no conspiracy to do them injustice. A greater good of the country is served if he is released than keeping him behind bars,” he said.

Showunmi also warned that continued detention could strengthen the resolve of violent groups in the South-East.

“By leaving him behind bars, we are energising that audience that is just misbehaving and killing people in the South-East,” he added.

On the legal proceedings, Showunmi emphasised respect for the judiciary while dismissing claims of bias in the ruling.

“It is only the Court of Appeal that can determine if there is a miscarriage of justice or not in the case, but let nobody imagine that there is any tribalism or otherwise in that judgement,” he said.

Speaking on the Alternative Movement, Showunmi clarified that the platform is not a political party, but a civic initiative aimed at encouraging broader political participation, especially among youth.

Earlier, Peter Moses, Acting Chairman of the NUJ Chapel, described the forum as an avenue for constructive engagement between journalists, policymakers, and influential voices to deepen democratic values.

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