A United States-based coalition of Igbo professionals and businessmen has accused former presidential candidates Atiku Abubakar and Omoyele Sowore of turning Nnamdi Kanu’s trial into a political game.
The group, known as Njiko Amaka, claimed the planned “Free Nnamdi Kanu Now” protest scheduled for October 20 was a political strategy, not a genuine call for justice.
In a statement signed by its Chairman, Chief Emeka Ejidike, and Secretary, Chief Okey Anosike, the group said Sowore and Atiku were only seeking attention after losing political relevance.
“We have watched with concern Sowore’s activities around our brother’s trial,” the group said.
“Now, Atiku, who never joined any protest to free victims in his own region, has joined him.”
Njiko Amaka warned that the protest could disrupt what it called the “steady judicial progress” in Kanu’s ongoing case.
The group insisted that political interference could complicate legal efforts already in motion to secure Kanu’s release.
Citing an Igbo proverb, the statement said, “Ndigbo have a wise saying about a tortoise that spent years in a pit.
On the day of its release, it shouted for its captors to hurry, forgetting how long it stayed there.
That’s the situation with our brother Kanu patience and wisdom are needed, not noise.”
The group questioned why Sowore was suddenly interested in Kanu’s release while facing criminal charges of his own.
“Why should a man who insulted President Bola Tinubu now pretend to lead a freedom march for Kanu?” it asked.
Njiko Amaka also criticised Atiku for what it described as selective activism. “Atiku is from the North.
Mohammed Usman, also known as Khalid al-Barnawi, has been detained since 2016 for the UN bombing in Abuja.
Why has Atiku not demanded his release? Why Kanu? These are questions Nigerians should ask,” it stated.
The US-based group said both men were only trying to gain public sympathy and revive their fading political image.
It urged Nigerians to avoid them “like a plague,” warning that such actions could undermine peace efforts between the government and the South-East region.
Njiko Amaka stressed that credible political leaders are already working behind the scenes for Kanu’s release.
“We have five governors, 15 senators, and many Representatives from the South-East.
Even Governor Peter Mbah has assured that a political solution is in progress. We don’t need fifth columnists to derail it,” the statement added.
The group concluded by urging Igbo youths to stay calm and support ongoing peaceful dialogues aimed at ending Kanu’s detention.