Human rights activist and former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, AAC, Omoyele Sowore, has accused the Nigerian government of treating the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, leader, Nnamdi Kanu, unfairly because he is Igbo.
Speaking on Arise Television’s Prime Time programme on Thursday, Sowore said Kanu’s continued detention and trial highlight the ongoing marginalization of the Igbo people in Nigeria, even within the judicial system.
He recalled that during a court appearance last year, Kanu had promised to end the violence in the South-East if released, but the government failed to act on that commitment.
Sowore lamented that while Nigerians from other ethnic groups often escape harsh punishment for their actions, the same privilege does not extend to the Igbo.
“He made an open declaration in court, saying, ‘If I’m released, give me five minutes and I’ll end the violence in the Southeast.’ What more does the government want from him? The state’s duty is to protect the people; it’s not his job to protect the Southeast or the Southwest.
“If you’re a Nigerian, you can get away with many things, but if you’re an Igbo Nigerian, you can’t. The odds are against you,” he said.
Sowore compared Kanu’s case to that of the Yoruba Nation agitators, who, according to him, have not faced the same level of prosecution or repression despite engaging in controversial acts, including hijacking a radio station.
He also criticized the slow pace of Kanu’s trial, stating that no credible evidence or witnesses have been presented to justify his prolonged detention.
“The only witness that testified did not accuse him of committing any crime. He didn’t say Kanu possessed a gun or was importing weapons.
“He only said Kanu declared his desire for Biafra. I’ve checked the Nigerian constitution, and there’s nowhere it says that declaring support for Biafra is a crime,” Sowore added.
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