Renowned activist and public affairs commentator, Mahdi Shehu, has condemned the National Council of State for excluding the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, from the list of Nigerians considered for clemency, amnesty, and pardon.

In a post shared on X on Thursday, Shehu described the decision as a fundamental flaw and an act of insensitivity.

He accused the council of double standards.

According to him, the Council of State’s decision to grant clemency to various individuals, both dead and alive, without a single mention of Kanu, was shocking, scandalous, and deliberate.

“Shockingly, surprisingly, scandalously, and deliberately, not a single mention or reference was made about Mazi Kanu,” Shehu said. 

“No single member of the council from the South-East made even a mute attempt to mention his case. They were all silent as if destroyed by Tinubu’s thunder, lightning, and political tsunami.”

The activist insisted that Kanu should not even be a candidate for clemency or pardon because he has not been convicted of any offence.

“For the avoidance of doubt, Kanu is not a candidate for clemency, pardon, amnesty, pity, or compassion because he is not a convict,” Shehu wrote.

“The Council of State should have directed the Attorney General of the Federation to terminate Kanu’s trial by way of nolle prosequi.”

Shehu expressed concern that individuals who once took up arms against the Nigerian state, destroyed national assets, and killed citizens now walk freely, hold public office, and even enjoy national honours.

“People who had taken arms against the state, destroyed national assets, killed, maimed, and incapacitated both foreigners and citizens are moving around freely with armed guards. Some have been elected as lawmakers, others are holding public offices, and many more are influential government contractors and consultants,” he lamented.

He faulted the silence of South-East governors and political leaders, accusing them of complicity in Kanu’s continued detention.

“Ignoring Mazi Kanu and scheming him out with the help and support of Igbo serving governors and influential politicians from the South-East means Nigerians are not ready for peace through dialogue,” Shehu said.

The activist argued that if members of groups such as Boko Haram, Niger Delta militants, and Fulani militias could be forgiven, rehabilitated, and reintegrated into society, then Kanu’s release should be treated as a fundamental right rather than an act of mercy.

“If Boko Haram killer groups, Niger Delta killer networks, and killer Fulani militias are being pardoned, compensated, trained, and integrated into communities, then the release of Kanu has graduated to a right, not a favour,” he added.

Nnamdi Kanu:  It’s shocking, scandalous – Mahdi Shehu faults Nigerian govt for abandoning agitator