How Sowore Won In Igboland after Fleeing In Abuja

• Abians show they want Kanu released; support Sowore’s campaign; shutdown businesses

By PHC Telegraph

Omoyele Sowere may have taken to his heels in Abuja as widely reported in the media to avoid being hit by stray bullets allegedly fired by the police, but in Abia State where Nnamdi Kanu hails from, people willingly stayed away from their businesses and the streets in solidarity.

According to the Daily Post, the Abia State capital on Monday was completely locked down as Abians obeyed Sowore’s call to make some noise.

Residents, the newspaper reports decided to stay indoors, thus shutting down their daily businesses at least for one day in support of the free-Nnamdi-Kanu-march championed by the rights activist.

The rights campaigner who competed in the last presidential election held in 2023 had dared Governors of the five eastern states to join him in the march calling for the release of the leader of the pan Igbo movement if they are serious.

None of the governors turned out at the end of the day, but there were calls from some Igbo leaders urging Sowore to stay out of Igbo matters.

Kanu is reportedly suffering from an undisclosed ailment and the trial judge has as at the last count, ordered a quick  determination of his medical status by doctors to enable the court take a more rational position.

Whereas Sowore and his compatriots –  who are asking Nigerians to demonstrate support for the IPOB leader – ran the race of their lives when police purportedly opened fire in the federal capital, the situation in Umuahia, the State capital was rather different.

It was non violent but effective. Abians were serious about the release of Mazi Kanu and they proved it through passive resistance.

Traffic was so scanty on Monday, with most roads around Umuahia largely empty “except for the occasional movement of tricycles and a few vehicles”, which the Daily Post reported

Economic and commercial activities, we learnt, were paralysed as Abians showed they would like to see Kanu, the leader of IPOB released from detention.

Correspondents  say schools, filling stations, shops, markets, banks and motor parks did not open at all.

The silence which fell on the streets like a blanket, the robust declaration of mass support for Nnamdi Kanu’s release from detention across Igboland, Monday’s closure of commercial activity in Abia, and the will exhibited by ordinary Igbos in the East indicated a strong preference that the people have – it is freedom for Kanu or nothing.

Some Igbo leaders, frightened by what may happen are already asking Sowore to stay out of Igboland.

Associates and relations of Nnamdi Kanu who heeded the call to turn out on the streets in Abuja were not spared. They were arrested and hounded into prison at Kuje.

They include Nnamdi Kanu’s brother, Prince Emmanuel, Special Counsel Aloy Ejimakor and other free Nnamdi Kanu protesters.

When Kanu’s case resumes, his lawyer and close confidant won’t be there to fight his case.

He is cooling off at Kuje Correctional Centre accused of doing something pre – judicial by participating in the march to demand Kanu’s release.

Speaking on the Morning Show on Arise on Wednesday, Rufai Oseni, a TV anchor wondered how the lawyer’s participation in the free Kanu campaign could amount to an offense.

In the meantime, Kanu has taken over his own defense and listed 23 witnesses, including the Minister of Works, Dave Umahi, the Governor of IMO State, Hope Uzodinma,  and the Minister of the FCT, Nyesom Wike.

While many wait to see how Kanu would handle his own defense, the story of how Sowore ran is still trending, with Shehu Sani saying it takes some sense to flee in the face of an angry policeman whose last salary has not been paid.

Sani added jokingly that those who want Sowore to fight for them should turn to Deji and allow the rights campaigner to have a deserved rest.