Again, President Muhammadu Buhari has been tasked by Governor Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti State to grant unconditional pardon and release to the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, and other unjustly incarcerated Nigerians like the ex-National Security Adviser (NSA) to former President Goodluck Jonathan, Sambo Dasuki.
In a press statement released in Ado-Ekiti yesterday by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Idowu Adelusi, Fayose asked Buhari to reciprocate the mercy of God upon his life by showing mercy to Kanu and others.
He also advised that it will not be right to turn back the hands of the country’s clock, adding that the current peace in the Niger Delta and the slight improvement in the economy must be improved upon.
Thanking God for the President’s return in good health, which he said was all at the mercy of God, and particularly as a result of the prayers of Nigerians who have made this to happen, the Ekiti governor told Buhari:
“It is therefore incumbent on you to show mercy on Nnamdi Kanu and Sambo Dasuki, who have been granted bail already by courts of competent jurisdiction, and such other Nigerians that are suffering unjust, punitive, illegal, and unconstitutional incarceration under this administration.
“Allow all those who have been granted bail by the court to enjoy their bail while their trial continues. This is the right, just, and merciful thing to do, especially now that your good self is looking up to God for mercy.
“Those of us in authority must not be seen to be using our God-given powers to oppress the citizens placed under our care. The citizens’ fundamental human rights must not be taken away.
“In the spirit of Nigerians praying for your full and quick recovery, kindly show mercy as it will only cost you humility to show mercy to those people who deserve it.
“If we do not forgive, we ourselves will not get forgiveness. If we do not pardon, we will not get pardon. President Buhari, I enjoin you to please pardon Kanu and others so that Nigeria can move forward.
“If you heed to this advice, I can assure you that it will yield positive dividends to your government and I want you to know that I am speaking the mind of Nigerians on this matter”, he added.
Fayose then condemned some Igbo leaders who he said were playing politics with Kanu’s continued incarceration, warning that the continued incarceration of Kanu by this administration can be interpreted to mean hatred for the Igbo as a people.
Packaged by Temitope Eluyefa
