Atiku Abubakar and , Sowere (PHOTO: Facebook)
Northern Nigeria Youth Leaders Forum (NNYLF) has issued a stern warning to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and activist-turned-politician, Omoyele Sowore, urging them not to exploit the ongoing detention of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader, Nnamdi Kanu, for political gain.
In a statement released Wednesday in Abuja, the forum’s National President, Murtala Gamji, expressed strong disapproval of what he described as attempts by “desperate politicians” to weaponize Kanu’s incarceration for personal ambition.
> “Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has joined human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, in calling on the federal government to immediately release detained leader of the IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu,” Gamji stated.
“We advise them to rather wait and allow the due process of the court in the ongoing terrorism trial of the IPOB leader.”
Gamji accused both men of using the separatist’s plight as a springboard to revive their political relevance while potentially inflaming national tensions.
He reaffirmed the group’s backing of President Bola Tinubu, warning that any attempt to stir unrest under the guise of human rights advocacy would be firmly resisted.
> “We are here to express our anger, dislike, and to show the whole world that we are not with desperate politicians in Nigeria using the detention of Nnamdi Kanu to cause tension in the country,” he declared.
According to Gamji, plans by Atiku and Sowore to hold rallies calling for Kanu’s release are nothing more than self-serving political theatre. He distanced Northern youths from any such demonstration.
> “The former presidential candidate and owner of Sahara Reporters, Mr. Omoyele Sowore, and our father, the former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, are coming to organise a rally to free Nnamdi Kanu. We are not with them on this, and we say no,” Gamji asserted.
In a show of counter-solidarity, Gamji revealed that over 63 million Northern youths are mobilizing for a mass rally across Abuja from October 20th to 23rd, in support of President Tinubu’s administration.
> “The greatest mistake they are making is that the day they are coming out is the day more than 63 million young, vibrant Northern youths are coming out to plead with President Ahmed Bola Tinubu to continue with the good work that he is doing,” he said.
Gamji concluded with a pointed message to Sowore, warning him to be cautious in his rhetoric and actions to avoid further stoking public unrest.
