Human rights activist and former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, has accused the Federal Government of bias in its handling of the case involving the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.
Speaking on Arise Television’s Prime Time on Thursday, Sowore claimed that Kanu’s prolonged detention was a reflection of what he described as systemic injustice and political marginalisation of the Igbo people in Nigeria.
According to him, the judiciary and the political establishment have continued to apply double standards in matters involving persons of Igbo origin, contrasting the government’s handling of Kanu’s case with its leniency towards agitators from other ethnic groups.
Sowore recalled that during one of his court appearances, Kanu had made a public commitment to end the violence in the South-East if granted his release. He, however, lamented that despite the assurance, the Federal Government had refused to act in good faith.
“He made an open declaration in court where he said, ‘Give me five minutes if I’m released, I’ll end the violence in the South-East.’ What more does the government want from him? It is the state’s duty to protect its citizens, not his,” Sowore said.
The activist argued that while individuals from other regions often escape harsh repercussions for similar or worse offences, the same privilege is rarely extended to those from the South-East.
“If you’re a Nigerian, you can get away with a lot. But if you’re an Igbo Nigerian, you can’t. The odds are stacked against you,” he said pointedly.
Drawing a comparison, Sowore cited the example of Yoruba Nation agitators who, according to him, faced no serious consequences even after engaging in provocative acts such as hijacking a radio station.
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He further criticised the slow pace of judicial proceedings in Kanu’s case, questioning the credibility of the evidence presented against him.
“The only witness who has testified so far did not accuse him of committing any crime. He didn’t say he found a gun on him or that he imported weapons. The witness merely said Kanu wanted Biafra,” Sowore stated.
He stressed that expressing a desire for self-determination should not, by any measure, be construed as a criminal offence under the Nigerian Constitution.
“I have checked the Nigerian Constitution; there is nowhere it says that saying you want Biafra is a crime,” Sowore added, calling for Kanu’s immediate release and a more equitable justice system.
