Former Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar, has backed a campaign, led by human rights activist and former African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore, which is calling for the immediate release of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.
Atiku's support followed Sowore's news that he had personally got in touch with major political figures. These included Atiku, former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, and Governors Alex Otti of Abia State and Charles Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State, to drum up support for a planned peaceful protest at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
Sowore had previously announced that the protest march to the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja, would take place on October 20.
Sowore stated that he aims to ensure that people in leadership with a strong moral compass come together to demand justice and that the rule of law is followed regarding Kanu’s long detention.
In a statement released on Wednesday evening, Sowore confirmed that he had reached out to the key figures himself, asking them to join up for a single, peaceful national effort to call for justice and the rule of law in Kanu’s case.
“I have tried reaching out personally to Dr. Alex Otti, Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo, and Mr. Peter Obi (through his team) today,” Sowore said.
He explained that the goal of these efforts was to make sure that leaders with a conscience would speak out and take firm action about Kanu’s long detention, a trial that has caused controversy and led to widespread demands for his release.
“Alex Otti and Soludo neither took my calls nor responded to my messages. I was informed that Mr. Peter Obi is currently traveling, but they promised to let him know of our plans,” Sowore explained.
He added that he also contacted Atiku via his staff, as well as reaching out to lawmakers from Abia State and other political figures who have publicly shared their worry about Kanu’s detention.
“I also reached out to Alhaji Atiku Abubakar through his team, while Senator Enyi Abaribe said he would return my call,” he disclosed.
He added that while some leaders had not responded, others, including lawmakers from Abia State, were open to engaging further on the issue.
Reacting through his verified X handle on Thursday, Atiku said, “The continued detention of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu remains an open sore on our nation’s conscience and a stain on our belief in the rule of law.
“Defying court orders that granted him bail is an abuse of power and an assault on justice.”
“I, therefore, lend my voice in full support of the campaign led by Omoyele Sowore for his immediate release or due prosecution,” he said.
Atiku also pointed out that Nigeria’s democracy would keep struggling if its people and leaders said nothing when faced with injustice.
“We fail as patriots if we allow Kanu’s case to fester as yet another wound this nation refuses to heal,” he added.
Sowore, in his comments, made it clear that his current efforts to rally support weren't about politics or any specific party, but were a moral call to action to demand that the government be held accountable.
“This is not the time for hesitation. If we genuinely believe that Mazi Nnamdi Kanu deserves freedom, then every leader of conscience must act, now, not later,” Sowore declared.
Their combined position has restarted the public discussion about the Federal Government's refusal to follow several court rulings that ordered Kanu's release.
SaharaReporters had earlier reported that Sowore urged political leaders and other key figures from the South-East region to join him for a peaceful walk to the Presidential Villa, Abuja, to demand Kanu's immediate freedom.
In a post on his X (formerly Twitter) account, Sowore declared that he was prepared to put aside political disagreements in order to seek justice for Kanu.
“I will set aside my differences with some politicians for one cause,” he wrote.
“I challenge every politician or person of good conscience from the Southeast who says they want Nnamdi Kanu released to stop the rhetoric. Time for action is NOW. Let’s march to the Aso Rock Villa.”
Sowore urged key figures from the region, including governors, lawmakers, and traditional and religious leaders, to do more than just offer words of support and instead take real action to get Kanu released.
“Every governor, senator, member of the House, traditional ruler, priest, eze, Igbo person, and every Nigerian who believes in Kanu’s freedom, come out and do more than talk. I will lead this peaceful march to the Aso Rock Villa,” Sowore declared.
He specifically challenged Anambra State Governor Soludo, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, Abia State Governor Otti, and Obi to join the protest.
“No more empty noise. Let Governor Soludo (@CCSoludo), Senator Abaribe (@SenatorAbaribe), Alex Otti (@alexottiofr), Peter Obi (@PeterObi), and all others who claim to care step up and join us in person,” he said.
Sowore emphasised that the march would be peaceful and legal, with the aim of demanding justice and putting a stop to what he called the persecution of Nnamdi Kanu.
“We go together peacefully, legally, and visibly to demand justice and an end to MNK's persecution. #FreeNnamdiKanuNow,” he added.
Reacting to Sowore’s challenge, Kanu’s Special Council, Barrister Aloy Ejimakor, said, “Dear Sowore, I hereby step forward to match with you to Aso Rock to ‘peacefully & visibly demand justice’ for Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. Who is with me? Ndigbo ahoy!”
Kanu has been held by the Department of State Services (DSS) since June 2021, following his arrest and highly debatable return (called 'extraordinary rendition') to Nigeria from Kenya.
He is facing charges from the Federal Government at the Federal High Court in Abuja, including terrorism, treasonable felony, and incitement.
Kanu has always maintained that he is not guilty of any of the charges.
In October 2022, the Court of Appeal cleared him of all charges, ruling that his extradition to Nigeria was a breach of international law.
However, the Federal Government appealed this decision and was granted permission from the Supreme Court to pause the order, meaning he could remain in detention.
Even though there have been numerous calls for his freedom—including pleas from South-East governors, traditional rulers, religious leaders, and international human rights groups—Kanu is still being held in solitary confinement at the DSS facility in Abuja.