You would be forgiven for thinking that it was a presidential campaign tour.

Hundreds of youth were on hand to receive Major Hamza Al-Mustapha, former Chief Security Officer to the late military ruler, General Sani Abacha, during a recent visit to Kaduna. The youth, got so elated and excited at welcoming the ex-convict turned cult hero, that they started chanting political slogans, including this one that caught our eye – “Al-Mustapha for 2015″

Al-Mustapha, in detention for almost 15 years over the killing of Kudirat Abiola, wife of the late M.K.O Abiola, the presumed winner of 1993 presidential election, was earlier in the month freed by the Court of Appeal.

Al-Mustapha was returning to Kaduna from a visit to the Emir of Zazzau, Dr. Shehu Idris.

Addressing the youth, who gathered under the aegis of the Arewa Youth Forum (AYF), he said, “I was told when I was released in Lagos that youths in Kaduna, Kano and other parts of the north trooped out to celebrate my release. Those in the south I was told did the same thing. I thought I was forgotten, but this has shown me that you love me and I love you all.”

In what could easily pass for a political (read campaign) statement, Al-Mustapha said that “For those of you who believe there is hopelessness in the country, we must all team up to make the direction for change. You may not understand now, but when the direction is defined, when the rail is laid, you will know it.”

According to him, his release is a victory for democracy, adding that he would meet with all youth bodies and organisations in both North and South in order to chart a new course.

In his remarks, AYF National President, Gambo Ibrahim Gujungu called on the youth to show more interest in elections if they were fed up with their current situation.

He also asked them to shun violence and taking the laws into their own hands.

Also speaking when he received Al-Mustapha in his residence, a northern leader, Dr. Ahmed Abubakar Gumi told him to see his incarceration as the will of Allah, advising him to forgive all those who played different roles in it.

“It is indeed a happy day for us and as he said, it is a big plus to democracy and judiciary in Nigeria. We have come of age where no innocent person should be incarcerated for no reason.

[Photo H/T: YNaija]

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