Quick Summary:
Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu condemns Nnamdi Kanu’s life imprisonment verdict, describing it as a painful blow to the South-East and urging dialogue over violence.
Minister Reacts to Kanu’s Conviction
The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, has faulted the conviction and life imprisonment handed to Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
Bianca, a former Nigerian Ambassador to Spain, described the judgment as a painful blow to the South-East, expressing disappointment over the outcome of the trial.
Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja had on Thursday convicted Kanu on seven counts of terrorism, sentencing him to life imprisonment after finding him guilty on all charges brought by the Federal Government of Nigeria.
Appeal for Calm and Restraint
In a statement issued on Friday, Bianca said the ruling was “not the outcome Ndigbo anticipated nor prayed for.”
She appealed for restraint, warning that any provocative response could worsen tensions both within Nigeria and among Nigerians abroad.
“There comes a time in the history of a people when calm is needed. That period is now,” she said. “All actions that may be deemed incendiary or escalate the situation must be curtailed. A word is enough for the wise.”
Bianca urged residents of the South-East and Nigerians in general not to resort to anger or violence following the development.
Call for Political Dialogue
The widow of the late Biafran leader, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, emphasized that only collective dialogue among Igbo leaders could pave the way for a political solution to the crisis.
She called for a broad engagement involving South-East governors, senators, House of Representatives members, traditional rulers, clergy, political leaders, and business elites to interface with the Federal Government on resolving the issue.
“Beating the drums of fury will only lead to diminishing returns and, in the worst case, more wastelands,” she warned. “The most effective path toward resolving this crisis is dialogue.”
Hope for Peaceful Resolution
Bianca stressed that peaceful coexistence in Nigeria is only possible when the Igbo people are treated with fairness and dignity.
She expressed optimism that the current impasse could still be resolved peacefully, urging unity and patience among the people of the South-East.
“I oblige everyone to remain calm and patient,” she said. “Now is the time for us in Ala Igbo to put all hands on deck and jointly seek a political resolution.”