The group’s National Coordinator, Mr. Hamza Umar-Saulawa, addressing newsmen on Monday in Katsina © NAN PHOTO
A civil society organisation, Nigeria First Project Initiative, has taken a swipe at activist and #RevolutionNow convener, Omoyele Sowore, alongside others who participated in the #FreeNnamdiKanu protest staged in Abuja on Monday.
Speaking to journalists in Katsina, the group’s National Coordinator, Mr. Hamza Umar-Saulawa, questioned the motives behind the protest and raised concerns about the implications of releasing Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
According to Umar-Saulawa, “Sowore is a dual citizen of Nigeria and the United States of America (USA), who is also driven by political motivations.” He suggested that such protests may not be in the best interest of the country, especially given the severity of the allegations against Kanu.
He cautioned Nigerians — especially those pushing for Kanu’s release — to reflect on the broader consequences for national unity and security. “Releasing the IPOB leader, who has rebelled against the sovereignty of Nigeria, poses a serious risk,” he warned.
Umar-Saulawa accused Kanu of masterminding the ongoing activities of IPOB despite the group’s proscription and terrorist designation by the federal government. He pointed to the economic and social damage caused by the enforced sit-at-home orders in the South-East and parts of the South-South.
“These orders have paralysed businesses, disrupted education, and inflicted hardship on innocent citizens,” he lamented.
The group recalled that Kanu was arrested and arraigned by the Department of State Services (DSS) on multiple charges, including terrorism, treasonable felony, unlawful possession of firearms, and leading a banned organisation.
“He was granted bail in 2017, but he violated the bail terms, jumped bail, and fled the country. From abroad, he continued to incite violence through social media. These messages led to the killing of security personnel and civilians, including people from his own region,” Umar-Saulawa stated.
He highlighted that it required international cooperation and intelligence sharing to apprehend and extradite Kanu back to Nigeria in 2021 to face justice.
Calling Kanu a “divisive figure,” Umar-Saulawa expressed fears that releasing him — whether conditionally or unconditionally — would likely reignite violent campaigns and further destabilize the country.
“Nigeria cannot afford to have someone like Kanu resurface and continue promoting division and hostility. The sovereignty of this nation must be protected at all costs,” he said.
The group urged Sowore and other activists to halt all agitations calling for Kanu’s freedom and to consider the wider national interest.
On a separate note, Umar-Saulawa also condemned recent rumours of an attempted coup, praising intelligence agencies for being alert and proactive.
“Nigerian democracy is indeed thriving as we have just marked a milestone of celebrating 26 years of uninterrupted democracy. However, only apologists of totalitarianism and anarchists will wish the reversal of this great feat in our democratic journey,” he added.
NAN
