Northern groups warn against protest for Nnamdi Kanu’s release

..says releasing of Nnamdi Kanu without trial will lawlessness

From Charity Nwakaudu, Abuja

The Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) has strongly condemned the planned nationwide protests calling for the release of the detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, describing the move as reckless, provocative, and a direct affront to Nigeria’s sovereignty and judicial process.

Speaking at a press conference in Abuja, the National Coordinator of the group, Comrade Jamilu Aliyu Charanchi, warned that any attempt to pressure the government into releasing Kanu outside the framework of justice would not only reward treason but also embolden lawlessness and erode public confidence in the rule of law.

“Releasing Nnamdi Kanu under mob pressure will not heal Nigeria; it will embolden lawlessness. No nation survives when treason is rewarded and justice is politicized,” Charanchi stated.

The CNG urged the Federal Government to ensure that Kanu’s trial is seen to its logical conclusion without interference, emphasizing that justice must neither be delayed nor diluted under political or public pressure.

The group also called on security agencies to remain alert and proactive to prevent any breakdown of law and order during the planned protests. Furthermore, the CNG demanded an immediate investigation into individuals and organizations allegedly sponsoring or coordinating the protests under the guise of human rights activism.

In a direct message to President Bola Tinubu, the CNG warned against any political interference, urging him to uphold the sacred principles of separation of powers and judicial independence, and to resist all forms of blackmail or coercion that may compromise the integrity of the legal process.

The group appealed to patriotic Nigerians, particularly those in the Southeast, to reject what it described as “calls to anarchy” and instead embrace peace, dialogue, and development.

Reaffirming its stance, the CNG stated“We stand firm in defense of the rule of law, national unity, and the memory of those who paid the ultimate price for peace. Nigeria must not bow to emotional blackmail. The law must take its course for without justice, there can be no peace.”