The Arewa Voters Assembly (AVA), a political and democratic platform with a presence across northern Nigeria and the Federal Capital Territory, has issued a strongly worded press statement vehemently opposing a planned protest in Abuja on October 20, 2025, being championed by activist Omoyele Sowore.
In the press statement, titled “Planned Protest for 20th October in Abuja: Enough of the Rascality and Impunity of Omoyele Sowore,” the AVA accused Sowore of being an “unpatriotic quisling,” a “hired destabilization agent,” and an “enemy of the state” working to scuttle Nigeria’s democracy and reverse the gains made by the Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led administration.
Accusations Against Sowore
Comrade Ismail Ibrahim Bakori, the Convener of the AVA, who signed the statement, claimed Sowore’s activism is a “facade behind which he has been carrying out his treacherous and treasonable offences.” The Assembly alleged that Sowore is being sponsored by “foreign forces and interests” to disintegrate Nigeria by inciting ethnic, regional, and religious conflict.
The AVA specifically attacked Sowore’s latest mobilization around the trial and detention of Nnamdi Kanu, calling it an opportunistic ploy by a “renegade spent force.” Furthermore, the group asserted that Sowore’s verbal attacks on President Tinubu are a deliberate strategy to arouse public disaffection towards the democratically elected leadership.
AVA Issues Demands and Threatens Counter-Action
The Arewa Voters Assembly made several demands, including a call to youth, particularly those in the Southeast, to be “wary of the antics and deceptions of Sowore.” They also demanded that the nation’s security agencies—the police, DSS, and NIA—immediately “go for the scum and threat to the nation in the person of Omoyele Sowore,” particularly questioning him on his alleged claims that the results of the 2027 elections have already been written.
Most significantly, the AVA vehemently stated that the “Free Nnamdi Kanu” protest slated for October 20th “WILL NOT HOLD!”
The statement announced a massive mobilization effort: “The Assembly has mobilised 60,000 of its members from the states to converge on the FCT in the days leading to the D-Day as a counterforce. We will chase and hunt for any miscreants seen on that day on the streets of Abuja in the name of protest.”
The AVA also mentioned receiving intelligence that the protest architects plan to disrupt business activities at Wuse market, stating they have called on their members and other traders to “jointly come out to resist the anarchists.”
Position on Nnamdi Kanu’s Trial
The AVA clarified that its opposition to the protest should not be misconstrued as being against Nnamdi Kanu himself. The group insisted on the rule of law, maintaining that Kanu’s freedom or otherwise “should follow due judicial process.” While acknowledging suggestions for a “political solution,” the Assembly stressed that “justice, due process, equity and fair play should take precedence over sentiments.”
The statement concluded by emphasizing the need for justice for victims of the violent activities allegedly perpetrated by Kanu’s lieutenants and foot soldiers in the Southeast.
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