The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has condemned the ongoing #FreeNnamdiKanu protests across parts of the country, describing them as politically driven agitations orchestrated by opposition figures seeking to destabilize the nation.
In a statement issued on Monday by its spokesperson, Mogaji Seye Oladejo, the party likened the demonstrations to the Biblical phrase “the hand of Jacob and the voice of Esau,” suggesting that the protests are being disguised as calls for justice while serving political motives.
Oladejo said: “This so-called protest is not about justice; it is about political frustration. It represents the height of bitter, destructive politics, an attempt by those who have been roundly rejected by Nigerians at the polls to exploit national issues in search of cheap relevance.”
He accused opposition leaders of “shamelessly endorsing and sponsoring” what he called “street theatrics,” adding that their actions amount to deceitful manipulation.
“Their involvement reveals what can only be described as a classic case of the Biblical hand of Jacob but the voice of Esau, deceitful manipulation hiding behind the façade of activism. But let them be reminded: they will not gain in the streets what they have disgracefully lost at the polls,” Oladejo stated.
According to the APC spokesperson, the protests are insensitive, especially given the ongoing security and humanitarian challenges in the South East, which has endured years of violence, kidnappings, and economic disruption linked to separatist activities.
“At a time when the South East is still bleeding from years of mindless bloodshed, kidnappings, and enforced sit-at-home orders, these individuals have chosen to mock the memories of the victims. Their protest is not a demand for justice; it is a betrayal of the sacrifices of the innocent,” he added.
Oladejo stressed that Nnamdi Kanu’s case remains a judicial matter under Nigeria’s legal system, insisting that “no one is above the law” and that the judiciary is capable of handling the matter without external interference.
He further noted that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration is focused on rebuilding the economy, fostering national unity, and ensuring inclusivity through the Renewed Hope Agenda, with the South East already benefiting from key national appointments and infrastructural projects.
“True progress will come not from chaos, but from cooperation and peace,” he said.
The Lagos APC urged security agencies to remain vigilant and called on patriotic Nigerians, particularly leaders in the South East, to reject what it described as the “antics of political opportunists” seeking to exploit national issues for personal gain.
“There must indeed be a limit to bitter politics,” Oladejo concluded.
