Bolaji Abdullahi: ADC holding off on Nnamdi Kanu’s case, but opposes clampdown on protesters

Bolaji Abdullahi, national publicity secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), says the party has refrained from taking a position on the detention of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

Abdullahi spoke on Tuesday when he featured on ‘Politics Today’, a Channels Television programme.

He criticised the “use of force” by security operatives against protesters calling for Kanu’s release, adding that the ADC’s stance is rooted in the defence of citizens’ right to peaceful protest.

“Without prejudice to why Nnamdi Kanu is being held, as a party, we’ve not made any statement on this,” he said.

“What we are saying is that citizens have the right to demonstrate; they have the right to protest in support of or against anything the government does or fails to do, and that right is fundamental and sacrosanct.”

The ADC spokesperson said the party would not comment on Kanu’s detention since the case is still in court.

“Kanu has not been convicted, and because the case is before the court, we will not comment on it,” Abdullahi said.

“If he were convicted, we could then debate why criminals and drug traffickers are being released while he is still held.”

On Monday, police fired teargas canisters at commuters waiting for vehicles to take them to workplaces at the central business district of Abuja as activists assembled to commence the protest.

Eight protesters were reportedly arrested in the nation’s capital while the protest lasted.

Omoyele Sowore, publisher of Sahara Reporters and ex-presidential candidate, was the arrowhead of the protest.

Heavily armed officers were also deployed to Eagle Square, Unity Fountain, the Federal Secretariat and the Three Arms Zone, while major routes, including Shehu Shagari Way, were barricaded, causing gridlock across the city.

Abdullahi criticised the decision to restrict protesters from accessing the national assembly, describing it as undemocratic.

“The national assembly is the bastion of democracy in Nigeria,” he said.

“I am surprised that protesters are being stopped from going there; citizens have the right to go to the national assembly, submit letters and hand petitions to their representatives, and that is what democracy means.”

He also questioned the legality of court orders that limit citizens’ right to peaceful protest.

“I’m not a lawyer, but I don’t think the court has the right or power to take away the freedom of expression granted by the Constitution,” he said.

Sowore also accused the police of using excessive force and arresting bystanders.

“There was no provocation on our part; they just began shooting tear gas and even live bullets,” he said.

He claimed that police beat and detained Kanu’s younger brother and his lawyer.

Benjamin Hundeyin, police spokesperson, defended the security operation, maintaining that officers acted lawfully to protect critical infrastructure.

By Tuesday morning, normalcy had returned to the nation’s capital, with traffic and business activities resuming as usual.

The protest coincided with the fifth anniversary of the #EndSARS demonstrations, which called for police reforms and justice for victims of brutality.

Kanu has been in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) since his re-arrest in June 2021 and has been on trial at the federal high court in Abuja.