The Presidency has declared that President Bola Tinubu will not order the release of detained Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader, Nnamdi Kanu, in response to what it terms “illegal protests” and “inflammatory rhetoric.”
The government positioned the matter as a judicial, not a political, issue, stating that the streets are no place to determine justice.
The statement, delivered on Monday by Presidential Spokesperson Sunday Dare, came in direct response to Monday protest led by activist Omoyele Sowore and others, who have demanded the unconditional release of Mr. Kanu, describing his continued detention as unconstitutional.
“Protests, threats, attempts at mob actions, and inflammatory rhetoric do not aid the judicial process,” Dare stated unequivocally. “Instead, they hinder it, creating unnecessary tension and undermining the rule of law.”
The Presidency’s response draws a clear line in the sand, arguing that the tactics employed by the protesters are not only unhelpful but also illegitimate. Dare emphasized that in a functioning democracy, the courtroom is the only appropriate venue for resolving such legal matters.
“Matters of justice are resolved in courts, not on the streets or through bravado and hysteria,” he said, taking a specific aim at the protest leaders. He dismissed Mr. Sowore’s strategy as “courting of public sympathy to interfere with judicial proceedings,” labelling it an “outdated and counterproductive” method in a modern democracy.
To underscore its point, the Presidency challenged the universality of the protesters’ methods, asserting that such demonstrations would be unacceptable in other nations facing similar legal circumstances.
“Sowore and his team can never try these stunts in Europe or America. You cannot employ protest and civil unrest to demand the release of someone accused of terrorism and whose case is still in court. Not even in America,” Dare stated, drawing a direct comparison to underscore his argument that the protests overstep the bounds of legitimate civil discourse.
The spokesperson also reminded the public that the Kanu case is a carryover from the previous administration, and that the current government is duty-bound to let the judicial process it inherited run its course.
“It is important to note that the case of Nnamdi Kanu predates President Tinubu’s administration. The matter remains firmly within the jurisdiction of the judiciary, where it is following due process in accordance with the law,” he explained. “This administration respects the independence of the courts and will not interfere in ongoing legal proceedings.”
The statement served as a broader warning about the limits of democratic expression. Dare explained that while the administration upholds freedom and democracy, these principles are not without boundaries, and testing those limits would invite a firm legal response.
He concluded with a final plea for restraint and a reaffirmation of the government’s commitment to legal procedure, urging protesters to stand down and allow the judiciary to operate without external pressure.
“The judiciary should be left alone to do its work without interference. President Tinubu remains committed to upholding the rule of law and ensuring justice is served fairly and transparently,” Dare stated.
Nnamdi Kanu has been in the custody of the Nigerian state since 2021, when he was controversially renditioned from Kenya during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
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