Leader of the Southeast Senate Caucus, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, has described the conviction and life sentence of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, for terrorism as unsurprising.

In a statement on Thursday, Abaribe alleged that the ruling reflected a “preconceived plot” and noted that the Igbo nation and other concerned Nigerians had anticipated such an outcome.

He recalled that when the federal government declined to consider plea for amnesty for Kanu, unlike similar arrangements for other groups, “we knew that today’s outcome was imminent.”

Highlighting what he described as selective justice, the senator contrasted Kanu’s sentence with the government’s engagement with terrorists in the Northeast and Northwest and the amnesty programmes extended to ex-militants in the South-South, many of whom secured lucrative contracts. “Justice in Nigeria is not for the South East,” Abaribe stated.

He urged the Igbo nation to remain patient, stating, “Our people can only endure and hope for a time when justice in Nigeria will become the sine qua non. We have done our best, making repeated appeals for caution and, at minimum, a presidential pardon to promote unity and inclusiveness.”

Abaribe further called on President Bola Tinubu to take responsibility for resolving the matter and advised citizens to remain calm, respect the law, and pray for national progress.

“May Nigeria succeed, thrive, and advance in justice, equity, and fairness,” he added.