Controversial Islamic cleric, Ahmad Gumi, has said he is willing to support armed groups such as the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Boko Haram, and bandits operating in Nigeria if they agree to lay down their arms and embrace dialogue.
Gumi made the statement during an interview with DRTV, where he stressed that peaceful negotiations with the Federal Government could help resolve the country’s lingering insecurity.
According to the cleric, his support for the groups would depend on their willingness to abandon violence and participate in discussions with the Nigerian authorities.
“Dialogue can bring peace and we are men of peace. Even IPOB, which was once into secession, if they are ready to put down their arms and come to a roundtable to discuss, I’m ready and would support them. All we don’t want is violence,” Gumi said.
He emphasised that negotiation remains one of the most effective strategies for resolving conflicts and restoring stability in the country.
Gumi also advocated a balanced approach to tackling insecurity, combining military action with non-kinetic strategies.
According to him, intellectual engagement and dialogue with stakeholders could help address the root causes of violence across the country.
“What we are saying is what is the way out of insecurity? Let’s bring intellectuals to speak. What are the experts saying now in dealing with the situation in Nigeria?” he asked.
The cleric also blamed Nigeria’s socio-economic challenges for worsening insecurity.
He cited poor infrastructure, unreliable electricity supply, inadequate healthcare services and weak educational systems as issues that must be addressed to achieve lasting peace.
“Look at the road network, it is terribly bad. Electricity is erratic and very expensive. Don’t talk about healthcare. Anybody who has anything, even our rich men when sick with headache fly abroad. Don’t talk about education, so what is working here?” he said.
0 Comments
DISCLAIMER
The views and opinions expressed on this platform as comments were freely made by each person under his or her own volition or responsibility and were neither suggested nor dictated by the owners of News PLATFORM or any of their contracted staff. So we take no liability whatsoever for such comments.
Please take note!