A group under the auspices of Progressives Unity and Development Forum (PUDF) has cautioned the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and rights activist, Omoyele Sowore against the planned nationwide protest aimed at pressuring the Federal Government to release the detained IPOB leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
The PUDF, in a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Mr. Abraham Nwachukwu, and made available to journalists, the group expressed concern that the protest could be hijacked by hoodlums and political opportunists who might use the event to unleash violence and attack government buildings.
Sowore had earlier reaffirmed that the planned #FreeNnamdiKanuNow march to Aso Rock Villa would hold on October 20, describing the date as “sacrosanct.”
In a statement shared on his official social media page, Sowore said preparations were ongoing for what he called a “peaceful march” to demand Kanu’s immediate release.
However, the group said in the statement that “Sowore should be told now, before the D-day, that similar protests in the past spiraled out of control, with hoodlums taking advantage to loot and destroy public and private properties,”
The group cited previous incidents in Kano, Kaduna, and Lagos, where peaceful demonstrations turned violent and resulted in the destruction of public infrastructure.
“Against this background, we are calling on IPOB, Sowore, and other supporters of the planned protest to shelve the action and adopt more civic and responsible means of engagement
“Nobody has a monopoly of violence, and we are issuing this warning to prevent any action that could provoke counter-reactions or endanger national peace.” The statement added.
The group urged security agencies to remain vigilant and appealed to Nigerians to avoid being used by those “seeking to destabilize the country under the guise of activism.”
Credit: The Sun