ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- Femi Adesina, spokesperson for former President Muhammadu Buhari, unveils a shocking revelation in his newly published book, “Reflections of a Special Adviser, Media and Publicity (2015-2023),” stating that Buhari had once considered sponsoring the assassination of Nnamdi Kanu.
According to Mr Adesina in his newly published book, “Reflections of a Special Adviser, Media and Publicity (2015-2023),” Mr Buhari said he opted for the arrest of Mr Kanu instead of mobilising to kill him abroad when a delegation of Igbos led by Chief Mbazulike Ameachi met with the president in the villa to plead for clemency for Mr Kanu.
However, Buhari opted for Kanu’s arrest instead, sharing this insight during a meeting with an Igbo delegation led by Chief Mbazulike Amaechi, who pleaded for clemency for Mr. Kanu.
In the book, Buhari was quoted as saying, “Let him make his case in court instead of giving a terrible impression of the country from outside. I feel it is a favour to give him (Mr Kanu) that opportunity. Government could have mobilised to eliminate him where he was, but we did not do that.”
READ ALSO: Nnamdi Kanu’s Family Reveals Those Stopping Tinubu From Releasing IPOB Leader
During the plea for clemency, Buhari acknowledged the difficulty of granting the request but assured the delegation that he would consider it.
He emphasized the country’s commitment to the rule of law and the need to go through legal processes.
You have made an extremely difficult demand on me as the leader of this country. The implication of your request is very serious. In the last six years, nobody will say I have confronted the judiciary. We are developing a country, and we have to go through the pains,” Mr Buhari said.
On 1 July, 2023, Mr. Kanu was repatriated to Nigeria after disappearing following a military raid on his home.
The Nigerian regime provided a vague explanation of how Kanu was intercepted through collaborative efforts, with the Kenyan government denying involvement in his arrest and repatriation.
George Wajackoyah, counsel for Kanu, asserted that the Buhari-led regime abducted Kanu from Nairobi, providing evidence of his presence in Kenya.
“We have copies of his passport and a stamp that he was indeed in Kenya. We also have evidence he was in his residence on a particular day. We also have material proof that he was at the airport on a particular day to meet a friend, and there he was arrested,” Mr Wajackoyah said.
Since 2021, Kanu has been in detention, and in December 2023, the Supreme Court upheld the treasonable charge against him.