Presidency blasts Atiku over call for Nnamdi Kanu’s release

The Presidency has criticised former Vice President Atiku Abubakar over his recent call for the release of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, describing his stance as “political desperation” and a “disgraceful agenda” unbecoming of a statesman.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the Presidency accused Atiku of siding with an “anarchist” for political advantage and of attempting to undermine the nation’s judicial process.

Atiku had earlier posted on X, describing Kanu’s continued detention as “an open sore on our nation’s conscience and a stain on our belief in the rule of law.” He urged the Federal Government to either release Kanu or ensure his immediate prosecution, noting that the defiance of court orders granting bail amounted to an “abuse of power and assault on justice.”

The former Vice President also expressed support for a campaign led by activist Omoyele Sowore, who had called on opposition figures, including Atiku and Labour Party’s Peter Obi, to march for Kanu’s release.

Reacting, President Bola Tinubu’s aide, Temitope Ajayi, described Atiku’s statement as “unconscionable” and “mind-numbing,” saying it was disappointing that a former Vice President would lend support to a cause led by someone accused of fomenting violence.

Ajayi argued that Kanu was responsible for his prolonged detention, claiming his legal team had repeatedly delayed proceedings despite the prosecution having closed its case. He added that the court had dismissed Kanu’s no-case submission and ordered him to open his defence.

According to Ajayi, Kanu and his supporters have caused untold hardship across the South East through violent activities that have “destroyed lives, crippled livelihoods, and left a trail of devastation.”

Ajayi stated, “The political desperation that will make a former Vice President and a supposed statesman to be advancing this kind of disgraceful agenda is mind-numbing.

“If Nnamdi Kanu has stayed long in detention and his case has dragged on, it is because he made it so himself not because the legal system is against him. Kanu and his lawyers have used every trick and legal gymnastics to frustrate his trial.

“The Prosecution has closed its case against him. It is time for him to open his defence. No politically motivated protest will stop that after the court has ruled that he must open his defence. His lawyers entered a no-case submission, which the court threw away.

“Kanu and his foot soldiers have killed, ruined lives, and destroyed tens of thousands of livelihoods in the South East in the last 10 years. Communities in parts of the South East now lie desolate on account of Kanu’s hate campaigns.

“It is unconscionable that a former Vice President of Nigeria wants an anarchist to get a free pass and not be held accountable under the law of a country he still seeks to govern just for his own selfish political ambition. There is a minimum standard a former Vice President should never fall below.”