“Anarchist Masquerading As Activist” — Presidential Aide Bayo Onanuga Slams Sowore Over Planned Protest For Nnamdi Kanu’s Release

The Presidency has condemned activist and publisher of Sahara Reporters, Omoyele Sowore, over his planned protest march to the Presidential Villa in Abuja to demand the release of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.

Sowore, who was the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) in the 2023 elections, announced that the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest would hold on October 20 at 7 a.m., describing it as a “historic” demonstration to press for Kanu’s release.

Reacting in a post on his verified X handle, @aonanuga1956, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, accused Sowore of attempting to incite disorder under the guise of activism.

“You are nothing more than an anarchist masquerading as a rights activist,” Onanuga wrote. “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?”

The presidential aide described Sowore’s planned action as a deliberate attempt to undermine the judicial process, stressing that Kanu’s ongoing trial must be allowed to follow due process.

Onanuga also criticised former Vice President Atiku Abubakar for publicly supporting the planned protest, calling his position “opportunistic and irresponsible for a statesman of his standing.”

“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.

Reaffirming the government’s commitment to the rule of law, Onanuga noted that while the judicial process may appear slow, it remains the legitimate 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.