The Ohanaeze Youth Council (OYC) has raised alarm over what it described as Nigeria’s descent into political instability and creeping anarchy following the recent arrests of activist Omoyele Sowore, lawyer Aloy Ejimakor, and Emmanuel Kanu, the younger brother of detained IPOB leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
In a strongly worded statement issued on Friday and signed by its National President, Comrade Igboayaka O. Igboayaka, the pan-Igbo youth organization accused President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration of promoting executive recklessness, ethnic intimidation, and systematic suppression of dissenting voices ahead of the 2027 general elections.
According to the Council, the prevailing atmosphere of harassment and tribal victimization surrounding Nnamdi Kanu’s continued detention has exposed what it called “the collapse of Nigeria’s democratic framework under President Tinubu’s watch.”
“The current state of Nigeria under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is precarious, similar to a ship on the verge of capsizing after being struck by a tornado,” the group declared.
The OYC condemned the October 20 arrests of peaceful protesters at the Federal High Court, Abuja, including Sowore; Barrister Aloy Ejimakor, counsel to Nnamdi Kanu; Prince Emmanuel Kanu; and Barrister Kingdom Nnamdi Okere. The group alleged that the detentions were ordered by the President through the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, describing the move as an “anti-democratic and anti-human rights action” intended to silence opposition voices.
Comrade Igboayaka urged President Tinubu to immediately order the release of all detainees and initiate a process of national reconciliation to avert a looming crisis.
“President Tinubu must act swiftly to release Sowore, Ejimakor, Prince Emma Kanu, Barrister Kingdom Okere, and others, and commence genuine national healing to prevent Nigeria from sliding into a catastrophe similar to the crises that once engulfed Madagascar and Nepal,” the statement warned.
The OYC further appealed to the President to heed growing local and international calls for a political resolution to Nnamdi Kanu’s case. It urged him to consider the counsel of respected leaders who have advocated dialogue and reconciliation over repression, noting that continued selective justice against the Igbo nation could deepen ethnic mistrust and threaten Nigeria’s stability.
“Nnamdi Kanu’s case highlights the persistent problem of selective justice against the Igbo people. If not addressed, this injustice could fracture national unity and plunge Nigeria into deeper instability,” Igboayaka cautioned.
The group concluded by restating its commitment to peaceful advocacy and the defense of democratic rights, urging the federal government to reverse what it described as “a dangerous pattern of governance through fear and force.”
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