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From Femi Folaranmi, Yenagoa
The Ijaw National Congress (INC), the apex socio-cultural organization of the Ijaw people worldwide, has sued for calm over the life conviction of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra(IPOB), by a Federal High Court in Abuja.
The President of INC, Prof Benjamin Okaba, stated that while “we acknowledge the authority of the Nigerian judiciary and its right to adjudicate on matters before it’, the INC is deeply concerned about the wider implications of this judgment.”
According to him, under his leadership, INC has consistently advocated the strict adherence to the rule of law, constructive dialogue, and the pursuit of political solutions to address the deep-seated grievances that threaten our national fabric.
Okaba, therefore, appealed to South-Easterners and Nigerians to remain calm and law-abiding to avoid the country being plunged into crisis.
‘’We must not allow this moment to be exploited by those who would lead us down a path of destruction and further bloodshed. The challenges we face require wisdom and intellectual engagement, not a descent into anarchy’’ he said.
Okaba called for a political solution, being that the issues that led to Kanu’s conviction were political in nature.
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“The issues that gave rise to the agitations led by Mr Kanu are fundamentally political in nature. They are rooted in long-standing feelings of marginalization, inequity, and a failure of national integration. A judicial ruling, no matter how definitive, cannot by itself extinguish these underlying causes.
“We therefore call on the Federal Government of Nigeria to immediately explore and deploy a political solution to this matter. True and lasting peace is achieved not by silencing voices, but by addressing the legitimate concerns they raise,” he said.
Okaba explained that the current happenings over Kanu’s imprisonment present a critical test of Nigeria’s democracy, stressing that “a nation that thrives on the principles of justice and equity must be cautious in the application of laws that can be perceived as punitive rather than corrective.
The statement read further: “We remind the government that the strength of our federation lies in its ability to accommodate diverse opinions and address grievances through dialogue and inclusive governance.
“The Ijaw people, having ourselves been at the receiving end of a state structure that often disregards the principles of true federalism, empathise with any group that feels alienated and marginalised. We stand for a Nigeria where justice and fairness are not mere slogans but the guiding principles of statecraft.
“We conclude by reiterating our steadfast commitment to a united, peaceful, and prosperous Nigeria, but one that is built on the foundations of justice, equity, and respect for all constituent nationalities.’’
