The Ohanaeze Youth Council has strongly condemned the arrest and detention of Omoyele Sowore, Aloy Ejimakor, and Emmanuel Kanu, urging President Bola Tinubu to intervene and order their immediate release.
In a statement released on Friday and signed by the group’s National President, Comrade Igboayaka O. Igboayaka, the pan-Igbo youth body expressed concern over what it described as an atmosphere of intimidation, harassment, and ethnic victimisation surrounding the ongoing detention of Indigenous People of Biafra leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
The council asserted that the recent arrests signify a breakdown of governance under President Tinubu’s leadership.
According to the group, Nigeria’s current condition under the present administration is “precarious,” comparing it to “a ship on the verge of capsizing after being struck by a tornado.”
The OYC also condemned the arrest of human rights activist and former African Action Congress presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, who was reportedly detained by police during the #FreeNnamdiKanu protest held on Tuesday at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
“It is disturbing that on October 20, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, through the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, ordered the arrest of peaceful protesters, including Nnamdi Kanu’s lawyer, Barrister Aloy Ejimakor; Prince Emmanuel Kanu; Barrister Kingdom Okere; and others during the #FreeNnamdiKanu protest. They were later arraigned before the Kuje Magistrate Court and remanded in Kuje Prison,” the statement read.
The youth organisation called on President Tinubu to ensure the immediate release of Sowore, Ejimakor, Prince Emmanuel Kanu, Barrister Okere, and all others arrested during the protest. It also appealed for the commencement of genuine national healing and reconciliation efforts to avert potential crises similar to those that occurred in Madagascar and Nepal.
Furthermore, the council advised the President to consider mounting international pressure for Nnamdi Kanu’s release and to pursue a political resolution by dropping all charges against him to allow for his unconditional freedom.
Comrade Igboayaka concluded by asserting that Kanu’s continued detention amounts to selective justice against the Igbo people, warning that such injustice could further threaten Nigeria’s unity and stability.
