Human rights activist and former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, AAC, Omoyele Sowore, has accused the Nigerian government of treating the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, unfairly because he is Igbo.

Speaking on Arise Television’s Prime Time programme on Thursday, Sowore said the continued detention and trial of Kanu reflect the systemic marginalization of the Igbo people in Nigeria, including within the justice system.

He recalled that Kanu had, at a court appearance last year, promised to end violence in the South-East if granted release, but the government has failed to act on that assurance.

Sowore lamented that while Nigerians from other ethnic groups often escape severe consequences for their actions, the same cannot be said for the Igbo.

“He made an open declaration in court where he said, ‘Give me five minutes if I’m released, I’ll end the violence in the Southeast.’ What more do you want from him? The government has a duty to protect the public; it’s not his job to protect the Southeast or Southwest.

“If you are a Nigerian, you can get away with a lot of things, but if you are an Igbo Nigerian, you can’t. The odds are stacked against you,” he stated.

Sowore compared Kanu’s situation to that of the Yoruba Nation agitators, who, according to him, have not faced similar levels of prosecution or repression despite engaging in controversial activities, including hijacking a radio station.

He further criticized the slow pace of Kanu’s trial, saying no credible evidence or witnesses have been presented to justify his prolonged detention.

“The only witness that testified did not accuse him of any crime. He didn’t say he found a gun on him or that he was importing weapons.

“He only said Kanu declared that he wanted Biafra. I’ve checked the Nigerian constitution; there’s nowhere it’s stated that it’s a crime to say you want Biafra,” Sowore added.

Nnamdi Kanu: Nigerians can get away with anything, Igbos can’t – Sowore