The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has accused opposition parties of sponsoring the protest calling for the release of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.
The party alleged that the demonstration was politically motivated and an attempt to exploit national issues in a desperate bid for relevance.
The accusation followed nationwide protests tagged #FreeNnamdiKanuNow, organised by human rights activist Omoyele Sowore, demanding the immediate release of the IPOB leader from government custody, where he has been held on charges bordering on treasonable offences.
In a statement issued on Monday, the spokesperson of the Lagos State chapter of the party, Seye Oladejo, described the protest as “a classic case of the Biblical hand of Jacob but the voice of Esau”, a deceitful manipulation disguised as activism.
The party warned that those behind the unrest would not win in the streets what they have already lost at the polls.
According to APC, “The protest is not about justice but a manifestation of political frustration. It reflects the peak of bitter and destructive politics an attempt by those soundly rejected by Nigerians at the polls to exploit national issues in a desperate bid for relevance.
“We find it deeply disturbing that certain opposition leaders, who should know better, are shamelessly endorsing and sponsoring these street theatrics.”
“The insensitivity of the organizers and their sponsors is shocking. At a time when the South East is still bleeding from years of mindless bloodshed, kidnappings, and enforced sit-at-home orders, all consequences of violent agitation, these individuals have chosen to mock the memories of the victims.
“They ignore the tears of widows, the pains of orphans, and the devastation of communities ruined by senseless violence. Their protest is not a demand for justice; it is a betrayal of the sacrifices of the innocent.
“For years, ordinary citizens in the South East have lived in fear, traders afraid to open their shops, transporters grounded by threats, children deprived of education, and families shattered by insecurity.
“Yet, instead of standing with their people to heal these wounds, these political opportunists have returned to fan the embers of division, hoping to profit from instability.
“Let it be clear: no one is above the law. The case of Mr. Nnamdi Kanu remains a judicial matter properly before the courts. Nigeria’s judiciary is competent, independent, and capable of delivering justice without recourse to mob pressure or street intimidation.”
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, through the Renewed Hope Agenda, is working to rebuild the economy, restore investor confidence, and foster national unity. His administration has shown remarkable inclusivity, with the South East occupying key national positions and benefiting from renewed infrastructural development. True progress will come not from chaos, but from cooperation and peace.”
