Atiku Backs Sowore’s #FreeNnamdiKanuNow Campaign, Planned Protest To Presidential Villa
By Passman Akpos
Earlier on Thursday, Sowore announced October 20 as the date for the protest march to the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja.
Former Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar, has endorsed the campaign led by human rights activist and former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, calling for the immediate release of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.
Atiku’s support came after Sowore revealed that he had personally contacted key political figures, including Atiku, former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, and Governors Alex Otti of Abia State and Charles Chukwuma Soludo of Anambra State, to mobilise support for a planned peaceful protest at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
Earlier on Thursday, Sowore announced October 20 as the date for the protest march to the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja.
Sowore stated that his goal was to ensure that leaders of conscience unite to demand justice and adherence to the rule of law regarding Kanu’s prolonged detention.
In a statement issued on Wednesday evening, Sowore confirmed that he had personally contacted the key figures, asking them to join forces for a unified, peaceful national action calling 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.
According to him, the efforts were aimed at ensuring that leaders of conscience speak and act decisively regarding the prolonged detention of Kanu, whose trial has generated controversy and widespread calls for 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 reached out to Atiku through his aides, as well as lawmakers from Abia State and other political stakeholders who have publicly expressed concern 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 further noted that Nigeria’s democracy would continue to suffer if citizens and leaders remained silent in the face of 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 remarks, clarified that his ongoing mobilisation was not a partisan movement but a moral call to action to demand accountability from the government.
“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 joint stance has reignited public debate over the Federal Government’s refusal to comply with multiple court rulings ordering Kanu’s release.
SaharaReporters earlier reported that Sowore called on political leaders and other stakeholders from the South-East region to join him in a peaceful march to the Presidential Villa, Abuja, to demand the immediate release of Kanu.
In a post on his X (formerly Twitter) account, Sowore stated that he was ready to set aside political differences in pursuit of justice for Kanu.
