Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
Former Senate President, Senator Adolphus Wabara, has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to order the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s younger brother, Prince Emmanuel Kanu; his lawyer, Chief Aloy Ejimakor; and other protesters arrested during Monday’s #FreeNnamdiKanuNow rally in Abuja.
Police had confirmed the arrest of eight protesters, including Kanu’s brother and lawyer, claiming they demonstrated in restricted areas.
Wabara condemned what he described as the “illegal arrest and use of force against peaceful protesters,” as well as the alleged assault on a journalist covering the rally, whose camera was reportedly destroyed by security operatives.
Describing the intimidation of peaceful protesters as “a serious dent on Nigeria’s global image,” the former Senate President called on Tinubu to rein in security agencies.
He warned that the arrest of Kanu’s relatives and lawyer could further aggravate tensions in the South-East, stressing that peaceful protest is a fundamental right guaranteed under the constitution.
“The police are supposed to protect, not brutalize, protesters,” Wabara said, citing the ongoing “No King Protest” in the United States involving millions of people “without incidents of molestation or brutality.”
The Chairman, Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of hypocrisy, recalling that it once rode to power through protests.
“Why is the APC that came to power through protests suddenly afraid of protests?” he queried.
“Muzzling dissenting voices is a prelude to dictatorship. This is not the democracy we yearned for.”
Wabara said the scars of the #EndSARS protests “will always remain a sad memorial for the APC, which exploited propaganda and protests to oust the PDP in 2015.”
He lamented that “Nigeria under the APC is fast sliding into dictatorship,” and advised Tinubu, as “a father of the nation,” to heed calls for Kanu’s release as a step toward restoring peace in the South-East.
“If the President could pardon convicted criminals and fraudsters, there is nothing wrong in extending a similar gesture to Nnamdi Kanu,” he argued, noting that the release of repentant terrorists and negotiations with bandits make Kanu’s freedom even more justified.
Wabara urged the President to explore political dialogue rather than continued detention, commending the protesters for their peaceful conduct despite provocations.
He also lauded rights activist Omoyele Sowore and other protest leaders “for their courage to stand up against injustice,” urging Nigerians to unite against oppression, disregard for the rule of law, and abuse of power.
Many observers believe that Kanu’s continued detention remains a key factor fuelling insecurity in the South East, and that his release could help restore peace to the region.
