The Chairman of the African Action Congress (AAC), Abuja chapter, Agena Robert Ande, has released a detailed statement refuting what he described as “false and misleading narratives” surrounding the recent #FreeNnamdiKanu protest in the Federal Capital Territory.
In his account, Ande, who was physically present at the protest, described Omoyele Sowore, the national chairman of the AAC and human rights activist, as a true symbol of courage and resistancewho stood firm in the face of intimidation by state forces.
According to Ande, there were deliberate plans by security agencies to arrest Sowore before and during the protest in order to weaken the movement and silence dissenting voices. “The government knew Sowore was the driving force behind the protest. They wanted to arrest him early so that the protest would lose momentum,” Ande said.
Despite the threats, he explained, Sowore remained unshaken. On the day of the protest, the AAC leader reportedly visited both the Force Headquarters and the FCT Police Command, where he was allegedly attacked by police officers but continued to demand the release of detained protesters.
Ande noted that Sowore moved through seven different locations within the FCT, mobilizing supporters and ensuring the protest maintained its momentum despite police harassment. “This was not a spontaneous act; it was a calculated strategy to ensure the protest made an impact,” he stated.
Dismissing claims that Sowore fled from arrest, Ande insisted the activist’s decision to move strategically across locations was to avoid premature arrest that could have derailed the protest.
“Let’s set the record straight: Sowore did not run away out of fear. He stayed on the ground, fighting for what is right. If he was afraid, he would never have gone near the Force Headquarters or Police Area Command, knowing he could be arrested,” Ande explained.
He further emphasized that Sowore’s resilience and leadership on that day demonstrated the true essence of activism and commitment to justice.
“Sowore is a true hero of our time — a man who put his life on the line for justice and democracy. Those changing the narratives are enemies of the democracy we all crave,” Ande declared.
The AAC chairman concluded by calling on Nigerians and pro-democracy supporters to celebrate Sowore’s heroism rather than mock him, stressing that his actions on that day reflected uncommon courage and dedication to the people’s struggle.
“What else can you call courage?” Ande asked rhetorically. “Sowore is a hero.”