Member representing Ikwuano/Umuahia North and Umuahia South Federal Constituency of Abia State, Hon. Obi Aguocha has frowned at a recent comment credited to former President Muhammadu Buhari in which he said his administration would have eliminated Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) of it wanted to.
He said the comment is reckless and reeks of all things personal vendetta, accusing the former President of making comments that promote lawlessness.
In a statement on Monday, Aguocha said the comment is alarming and raises serious questions about the commitment to the rule of law and human rights.
He challenged the former President to come out and make a confession on what he used his office to do to Nnamdi Kanu along with his former media aide, Femi Adesina.
Adesina had in a memoir launched recently quoted Buhari of saying that the repatriation of Nnamdi Kanu in 2022 from Kenya was a favour to him, as the government would have eliminated him if it wanted to.
This has however attracted condemnation from Aguocha and other Nigerians. The lawmaker noted that the ruling of the Supreme Court which condemned the invasion of Nnamdi Kanu’s home and his extra-ordinary rendition from Kenya speaks to how the administration of Buhari violated the IPOB leader’s rights, wondering why he would me making comments with regards to “eliminating” him.
The Supreme Court of Nigeria, in its recent judgment, roundedly condemned Buhari’s government, the attack on the home of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, and also his rendition from Kenya. For the former president to summarily suggest that being subjected to such illegality was a favour for a citizen is totally reckless and reeks of all things personal vendetta, and so far from the high standards of civility expected from a leader.
He said, “President Buhari should rather come clean by confessing all he used his office to do to Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and the South East. Nobody, including Femi Adesina and his principal, should play God in respect of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
“There is obviously an inordinate obsession in the former president seeing Mazi Nnamdi Kanu in detention because of his personal prejudice. The Buhari government failed and or refused to obey all the orders in favour of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu granted by courts of competent jurisdiction, so that any remark suggesting that Buhari rather than eliminate Mazi Nnamdi Kanu preferred that the matter be determined by the courts is an attempt to launder the image of an oppressor into a benevolent president.
“The president only used the judicial system to victimise Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and the South East. Otherwise, why couldn’t the government establish a crime by leading credible evidence in court against Mazi Nnamdi Kanu for all the years. By the way, wasn’t it the failed attempt at eliminating Mazi Nnamdi Kanu in his village that forced the gentleman to escape from Nigeria.
“Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is a victim of President Buhari’s ill will and hatred against the ‘Dot’ people.”
He therefore urged President Bola Tinubu not to be held hostage by the prejudice former President Buhari had against the people of South East and Nnamdi Kanu but to foster inclusion for the promotion of peace.
“I continue to urge and appeal to His Excellency President Ahmed Bola Tinubu, GCFR not to be held hostage by the personal bias and discomforts of the person of Buhari and toe the part of inclusion and dialogue as a panacea for peace, especially in the South East.
“The continued incarceration of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu remains a petri dish for the ongoing security challenges in the South East and dwindling economic fortunes of its people and the government.
“As the direct representative of my constituent, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. I remain available to engage and facilitate meaningful dialogue to resolve this imbroglio.”
