The Presidency Thursday flayed renowned politician and Rights Activist, Omoyele Sowore, for planning to stage a protest march to the State House, Abuja, demanding the release of the detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
Sowore, publisher of the online news outlet, Sahara Reporters, was the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) during the 2023 polls.
Sowore had announced that the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow demonstration would hold on October 20 at 7 a.m., calling it a “historic” protest to press for Kanu’s release.
Commenting on the issue in his verified X handle, @aonanuga1956, presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, described Sowore as “an anarchist masquerading as a rights activist,” accusing him of attempting to incite disorder under the guise of a protest.
Onanuga said the move was a deliberate attempt to undermine the rule of law, warning that the IPOB leader’s ongoing trial on charges of treason must be allowed to run its lawful course.
According to him: “You are nothing more than an anarchist masquerading as a rights activist. You very well know that Nnamdi Kanu is facing trial for treason, and yet you want to cause a breakdown of law and order by mobilising for a protest. Is this the kind of revolution you envisage for Nigeria, where the rule of law will be violated and your idea of justice would be the law of the jungle?”.
Onanuga also criticised former Vice President Atiku Abubakar for expressing support for the planned protest, describing his stance as opportunistic and irresponsible for a statesman of his standing.
His words: “I am surprised that ex-VP Atiku Abubakar, who is always opportunistic, has supported the planned mob action. As a statesman, he should know better that matters of justice are not resolved on the streets but in the law court”.
He stressed that while the judicial process in Kanu’s case may appear slow, the administration remains committed to due process and the rule of law.
“While the wheel of justice can sometimes be grindingly slow, partly caused by Kanu’s lawyers, Nnamdi Kanu will eventually get the justice he deserves for his alleged transgressions,” Onanuga further stated.
Deji Elumoye
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