The Odua People’s Assembly (OPA) on Wednesday condemned what it described as a “provocative and insensitive” campaign led by activist Omoyele Sowore, calling for the unconditional release of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.
OPA said Sowore’s campaign was “a direct affront to the memories of victims” and “insensitive to communities still struggling to rebuild from the destruction” allegedly linked to Kanu’s incitement during the 2020 #EndSARS protests.
In a statement signed by its National Chairman, Kayode Richard Olatunji, the group said the campaign undermined the collective efforts of Nigerians, particularly those in the Southwest, who are still recovering from the unrest allegedly triggered by Kanu’s inflammatory remarks.
Olatunji recalled that the #EndSARS protests began as a peaceful nationwide movement against police brutality but took a violent turn after Kanu’s alleged intervention via Biafra radio broadcasts.
“The #EndSARS protests represented a collective yearning for a better Nigeria, free from oppressive law enforcement practices. However, this hopeful narrative took a dark turn when Nnamdi Kanu incited violence, calling for attacks on security personnel and the destruction of public and private property,” Olatunji said.
He alleged that one of the most notable incidents was the attack on the palace of the Oba of Lagos, which he claimed was carried out by IPOB members influenced by Kanu’s rhetoric.
“The invasion of the Oba of Lagos’s palace was not just vandalism — it was an assault on Yoruba culture and traditional authority. The theft of the Oba’s staff of office and large sums of money, reportedly including $2 million and ₦17 million, symbolized a grave insult to our heritage,” he said.
According to OPA, the violence that followed Kanu’s alleged incitement spread beyond Lagos to several states, including Ondo, Kwara, and Osun, leaving widespread destruction.
The group cited the attack on Okitipupa Oil Palm Plc in Ondo State, which reportedly caused over ₦300 million in damages, and the looting of Shoprite Mall and other businesses in Ilorin, as well as estimated losses of ₦5 billion in Osun State.
Olatunji stressed that while #EndSARS was founded on justice and reform, Kanu’s alleged hijacking of the movement turned it into “anarchy and suffering.”
“As stewards of our people’s welfare, we cannot stand idly by while calls for his release trivialize the pain of those who lost homes, businesses, and loved ones,” OPA stated.
The group insisted that accountability must prevail, warning that releasing Kanu unconditionally would embolden others to use violence for political gain.
“The campaign for Kanu’s release is insensitive to victims and a threat to the fragile peace we’ve worked hard to rebuild in the Southwest,” Olatunji added.
OPA urged the Federal Government to remain firm and allow Kanu’s prosecution to run its full course, emphasizing that justice must not be compromised for political convenience.
