The Presidency has strongly opposed Omoyele Sowore’s plan to hold a protest march to the Presidential Villa in Abuja, demanding the release of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader, Nnamdi Kanu, who remains in detention.
Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, condemned the protest through a statement on his official X account @aonanuga1956, labelling Sowore “an anarchist masquerading as a rights activist.”
Sowore announced the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest would take place on October 20 at 7 a.m., calling the march “historic” in seeking Kanu’s freedom.
In response, Onanuga insisted the planned demonstration threatens law and order, emphasising that Kanu is currently undergoing trial on treason charges that must proceed without interference.
“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 you want to cause a breakdown of law and order by mobilising for a protest?” Onanuga questioned.
He further challenged Sowore’s notion of revolution, asking,
“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 endorsing the protest, accusing him of opportunism.
“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 said.
Despite the Judiciary’s slow pace, Onanuga affirmed the government’s commitment to justice regarding Kanu’s case.
“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,” he concluded.
