Human rights activist Omoyele Sowore has visited a detained businessman from Awka, Linus Williams, who is popularly known as Blord.
Blord was sent to the Kuje Correctional Centre for 26 days last week after his case involving social media critic Martin Vincent Otse, also known as Very Dark Man, was postponed.
Sowore had earlier spoken against Blord’s detention and advised Otse’s lawyer, Marshal Abubakar, to drop the case. He also promised to work towards Blord’s quick release, calling the situation unfair and oppressive.
After visiting him on Wednesday, Sowore said Blord was strong and in good condition despite everything. He also suggested that the real reason behind his detention could be political, claiming it was linked to Blord’s refusal to join President Bola Tinubu’s support group known as the City Boy Movement.
Sowore explained that they expected to meet Blord feeling weak, but instead found him in high spirits even while facing challenges.
He also described the correctional centre as a place filled with many people who are suffering unfairly, adding that his goal is to fight against unjust detention in Nigeria.
He further claimed that there seemed to be a political angle to the case. According to him, Blord refused to join other young Igbo businessmen who are part of the City Boy Movement supporting Tinubu.
Sowore said Blord had once made a video stating clearly that he would never join the group, joking that “village people” were chasing them to join. He added that this may have angered some people, leading to his current situation, but said the issue would soon be resolved.
Speaking on another matter, Sowore also reacted to a protest by leaders of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) at the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abuja.
He said it was disappointing that former leaders were now acting like activists, while also insisting that activists do not always make good leaders.
Sowore advised them to protest not only when issues affect them personally but also when it concerns the general public.
He added that after elections, politicians like Atiku Abubakar often leave the country, while activists like him remain and continue to speak up. He stressed that he protests regularly, whether elections are happening or not.
