The Northern Nigeria Youth Leaders Forum has cautioned former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and rights activist Omoyele Sowore against leveraging the detention of IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu for political gain.
In a statement released on Wednesday in Abuja, the National President of the forum, Mr. Murtala Gamji, stressed that the group would not allow the duo to use Kanu’s situation as a “chess board” for political campaigns that could destabilize the nation.
“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.
“We advise them to rather wait and allow the due process of the court in the ongoing terrorism trial of the IPOB leader,” he said.
Gamji also urged President Bola Tinubu not to be distracted by Atiku and Sowore, reiterating the Northern youths’ support for the President.
“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.
“The former presidential candidate and owner of SaharaReporter, Mr. Omoleye Sowore, and our father, the former Vice president Atiku Abubakar, are coming to organise a rally to free Nnamdi Kanu.”
Distancing themselves from the planned demonstration, Gamji said, “We are not with them on this and we say no.”
He described the proposed protest as a self-serving attempt disguised as a campaign to free Kanu, adding, “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 his good work that he is doing.
“We are taking over the entire streets of Abuja from the 20th, 21st to 23rd of October in solidarity with President Tinubu,” he stated.
The group further warned Sowore to exercise caution in his actions and statements that could incite the public against the government.
