Omoyele Sowore, a prominent Nigerian activist and founder of Sahara Reporters, has expressed frustration over being denied access to visit Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), who is currently in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS).
In a tweet on Thursday, August 31, Sowore claimed that his planned visit to Kanu was obstructed during his hours-long stay at the DSS headquarters in Abuja.
Sowore, who has been vocal in his advocacy for human rights and self-determination, stated that he received an invitation from Kanu to visit him while in custody.
However, upon arriving at the DSS headquarters, he encountered a series of bureaucratic obstacles, eventually leading to a denial of access to Kanu.
He said the incident marks the second time that he has been unable to meet Kanu since his controversial arrest in Kenya.
Sowore did not mince words in his criticism of the situation, particularly targeting the current administration led by President Bola Tinubu.
He accused the government of demonstrating intolerance toward lawful expressions of agitation for self-determination.
Drawing a parallel between Tinubu and former President Muhammadu Buhari, Sowore suggested that both leaders exhibit similar traits when it comes to dealing with dissenting voices and opposition figures.
His words:
”Visitation to Nnamdi Kanu botched by DSS. I spent several hours at the DSS headquarters in Abuja. I was invited by Onyedu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu to pay him a visit in custody.
”However, after hours of rigmarole, the DSS told me I can’t see him today. This is the second time I am being denied lawfully ordered visitation to Mazi since his illegal abduction from Kenya.
”The Tinubu regime continue to demonstrate intolerance towards lawful agitation for self-determination. Tinubu is not different from Buhari.”
