The plan by the federal government to get a court to revoke Nnamdi Kanu’s bail and have him rearrested smacks of double standards and will create problems in the country, the Pan Yoruba group, Afenife has said through its spokesman, Mr. Yinka Odumakin.
Odumakin hinged his position on the much stated position by commentators that the government treats the leadership of the coalition of Northern Youth groups (Arewa Youths) with kid gloves while villifying the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnmadi Kanu.
In fact, Borno State Governor, Kashim Shettima joined the Arewa Youth group at press conference where its leaders suspended the quit notice given to the Igbos to leave northern Nigeria by October 1.
Shettima, the Chairman of the Northern Governors Forum, has been at odds to explain his involvement with the fringe group.
Political analysts believe the governor and other political leaders, like Senator Kabir Gaya, who were at the press conference by the northern youths were hoping to gain political capital in the north; but others suggest it shows the northern youths had government apparatus, even in the security, behind them.
Afenifere’s Odumakin, pointedly accused the government of giving of northern youths free rein and not arresting them while planning to pick up Kanu.
His words: “The idea of re-arresting Kanu will overheat the polity, more so when youths in the north that issued a notice to quit were not arrested. Even after the Kaduna State Governor and the Vice President ordered their arrest, the police did nothing.
“The Minister of Internal Affairs said the youths were not arrested because they claimed they were misquoted, but a few days ago, the youths in the presence of some governors withdrew the order.
“The government is giving the impression that what is red line for someone from a particular region is green line for someone in another part of the country; I think it is better the government engaged to bring down the tension rather than strong-arm tactics that would overheat the polity.
“There is a clear double standard and that is not good for inclusiveness. What the government should do is ensure even application of the law and engage more youths more rather indulge in sabre-rattling.”
