Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Thursday sentenced the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, to life imprisonment after finding him guilty on all seven counts of terrorism preferred against him by the Federal Government.
In a swift reaction, South-East leaders vowed to pursue a political solution to secure his release and urged residents of the region to remain calm.
Speaking on behalf of Igbo leaders, the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu, said:
“All hope is not lost. A political solution is underway to secure Kanu release.”
In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Levinus Nwabughiogu, Kalu expressed optimism that Kanu could be freed through a political arrangement.
He voiced confidence that President Bola Tinubu would consider the appeals of prominent Igbo stakeholders on the issue, noting that the President would not be opposed to such an intervention.
Kalu further stressed that with the court process now concluded, the door had been opened for intensified political engagement.
“It is now time to explore political solutions that had been hindered because the matter was before the court. But now that the court has finished, it is time to intensify the request for the President’s intervention and we are sure that the President is not averse to it. We are going to get it. All hope is not lost. Our people should remain calm,” he said.