US-Based Igbo Group Accuses Atiku, Sowore of Politicising Kanu’s Trial

A coalition of Igbo professionals and businessmen in the United States, under the umbrella of Njiko Amaka, has accused former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and activist Omoyele Sowore of using the ongoing trial of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader, Nnamdi Kanu, for political gain.

The group condemned the planned “Free Nnamdi Kanu Now” protest scheduled for October 20, describing it as a politically motivated attempt to derail judicial progress in Kanu’s case.

In a statement jointly signed by its Chairman, Chief Emeka Ejidike, and Secretary, Chief Okey Anosike, Njiko Amaka alleged that both Sowore and Atiku who contested the 2023 presidential election, were exploiting Kanu’s situation to regain political relevance.

“We have watched with concern the activities of Sowore regarding our brother’s trial. As if that wasn’t enough, Atiku Abubakar, who has never organised or joined any protest to free his violence-plagued region, has now aligned with Sowore,” the group stated.

According to them, Kanu’s case has been progressing steadily within the judiciary, and any protest at this stage could jeopardise efforts to reach a lasting resolution.

Quoting an Igbo proverb, the group likened the situation to “a tortoise that spent years in a dung pit and began shouting for release on the very day freedom arrived,” saying that such impatience could worsen matters.

The coalition also questioned Sowore’s moral standing to lead the protest, citing his pending criminal case for allegedly insulting President Bola Tinubu. “Why is Sowore suddenly interested in Kanu’s release when he is yet to clear his name in court?” the statement queried.

On Atiku’s involvement, Njiko Amaka accused him of “selective advocacy,” asking why the former Vice President had not called for the release of other northern detainees such as Mohammed Usman (Khalid al-Barnawi), the mastermind of the 2011 UN building bombing, who has been in custody since 2016.

“All we know is that only evil motives drive a man to cry more than the bereaved,” the group added.

The coalition urged Nigerians to be wary of “self-serving antics” by politicians seeking to undermine peace efforts surrounding Kanu’s case, stressing that credible political interventions were already underway.

“We have five governors, 15 senators, and several House of Representatives members from the South East working towards a political solution. Even Governor Peter Mbah recently assured that progress is being made. We must not allow fifth columnists to derail this,” the group concluded.