The Arewa Youths for Peaceful Coexistence (AYPC) has accused activist and politician, Omoyele Sowore, of plotting to incite unrest in the country through his planned protest demanding the release of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.
The group alleged that the planned demonstration, slated for Monday, is not a genuine democratic expression but a deliberate attempt to discredit President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration and destabilise Nigeria.
Briefing journalists in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Coordinator of the group, Ogah Okpanachi, said intelligence gathered by the organisation revealed that the protest was not about justice or democracy but a calculated plan to undermine the government and sow chaos across the nation.
Okpanachi said Nigeria had moved past the era of destructive street protests serving the selfish interests of political opportunists masquerading as activists. He warned Nigerians to learn from the bitter experience of the 2020 EndSARS protest, which he claimed resulted in loss of lives, destruction of property, and economic setbacks.
“We wish to draw the attention of all patriotic Nigerians to the planned protest being organised by Omoyele Sowore and his associates under the guise of demanding the release of Nnamdi Kanu,” Okpanachi said.
“We categorically reject this call and urge every peace-loving Nigerian to shun and resist this misguided attempt to destabilise our beloved nation.”
He stressed that Nigeria remains a nation governed by the rule of law with an independent judiciary competent to handle all matters, including that of Nnamdi Kanu.
According to him, “No individual or group has the authority to take the law into their hands or intimidate the courts through street demonstrations. Sowore and his cohorts are not fighting for democracy; they are exploiting national issues to advance their selfish agenda and create disorder.”
Reaffirming the group’s support for President Tinubu, Okpanachi said the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda is already yielding results in infrastructure, security, economic revitalisation, and youth empowerment.
He commended the President’s commitment to Nigeria’s unity, peace, and prosperity, noting that his government’s investments in roads, railways, education, power, agriculture, and social welfare programmes are rebuilding the foundation of a stronger and more inclusive nation.
“Nigerians of good conscience must rise in defence of this progress and reject all divisive plots designed to distract or discredit the government,” he said.
“We therefore call on all Nigerians, particularly the youths, to stand on the side of peace, unity, and progress. Nigeria’s greatness will not come through violence or protests, but through collective effort, dialogue, and support for our democratic institutions.”
