Presidency Reacts to Sowore’s Planned ‘Free Nnamdi Kanu’ Protest

The Presidency has reacted sharply to activist and politician Omoyele Sowore’s plan to stage a protest demanding the release of detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.

Sowore, publisher of Sahara Reporters and 2023 presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), had announced that the protest, tagged #FreeNnamdiKanuNow, would take place on **October 20** at 7 a.m. The demonstration, according to him, would be a “historic” march to the Presidential Villa in Abuja to demand Kanu’s freedom.

In a statement posted on his verified X handle, @aonanuga1956, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, criticised Sowore’s plan, describing him as “an anarchist masquerading as a rights activist.” He accused Sowore of seeking to incite disorder and undermine the rule of law through the proposed protest.

“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 wrote.

The presidential aide maintained that the legal process regarding Kanu’s case must be allowed to run its course, adding that the activist’s call for street action was both reckless and unlawful.

Onanuga also faulted former Vice President Atiku Abubakar for reportedly supporting the planned protest, calling his stance “opportunistic and irresponsible.”

“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.

Reiterating the administration’s commitment to due process, Onanuga stated that while the judicial process may appear slow, it remains the proper path to justice.

“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 added.

Nnamdi Kanu is currently standing trial on charges of treason and other offences linked to his activities as the leader of IPOB, which has been proscribed by the Nigerian government.