How To Negotiate With Nnamdi Kanu’s Detention
Invite By: Daily Tab24
In my recently published column on Nnamdi Kanu, I got feedbacks that failed my expectation, yet, I respect the views of my audiences. In return, I want to make clear that I don’t support violence or oppression of any kind. I do not support any form of secessionist agenda, rather, I am for healing and political understanding of the way forward for the country Nigeria.
There is delusional consensus among the responders that since Nnamdi Kanu was detained, the agitation has died down. Frankly, I strongly believe my responders are living in denial of facts. There is enforced and illegal sit-at-home every Monday across Southeast states. There is agitation induced criminals causing insecurity, threatening lives and frustrating businesses across Southeast. So, Nnamdi Kanu’s detention may have watered down the intensity of the agitation, but it has not permanently addressed the agitation.
We should learn to make judgments in absence of emotion, because often, we are blinded by emotion which leads to bad judgment. Nigeria belongs to everyone, even for the stubborn child seeking a way out of the conundrum we found ourselves through secession agenda. When the child is flogged with right hand, he is taken into bosom with the left hand. That is the way to be a remarkable father to everyone.
I am after lasting solution and not a temporary blow against each other. Nnamdi Kanu had his opportunity but didn’t use it. The Federal Government has opportunity today, and should rightly use it. Two wrongs don’t make a right; we all can start now to build a positive or legal field for everyone to aspire or agitate.
First and foremost, the federal government of Nigeria should not deny Nnamdi Kanu his right to agitate. His detention should not be traded for the termination of his agitation because it would be counter-productive even if forced on him. The federal government should welcome his agitation, but must ensure there are does and donts. By establishing limitations, the Federal government would automatically usher in the natural death of the ideology.
Meanwhile; there are other vultures waiting for Nnamdi Kanu’s negotiation; and when the negotiation didn’t go well, they would pounce on it and lure gullible minds into the scheme of renewed agitation or starting from where Nnamdi Kanu stopped. Those vultures are waiting and expecting the federal government to present termination of agitation as a recipe for settlement.
Negotiating with Nnamdi Kanu must be founded on freedom of ideas and suggestions. There must be a consensus or compromise on how the agitation should continue. There are legal and acceptable ways of agitations, and those ways should be explored.
Agitation can go through politics. It can go on within the confines of the law of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Agitation can go through ballot and other channels. There must be defined concessions between the Federal Government and Nnamdi Kanu.
Nobody should think killing or imprisoning Nnamdi Kanu for life will end the agitation in the country. It can only temporary decrease the intensity and those waiting for the fate of Nnamdi Kanu could build on their narrative to be even fiercer than him.
The intensity of the agitation may as well have been decreased because the followers of the young man are waiting for the fate of their leader before deciding their next line of action. Nnamdi Kanu’s detention is not yet a victory for the Federal Government. Victory will come after Nnamdi Kanu is released and the agitation tamed to go on within the confines of the law.
In essence; the proposal to Nnamdi Kanu should be how to go about his agitation within the confines of the law of the country, to guarantee peace and order. The Federal Government is in position of strength and should make most of their position now it reigns supreme.
