Atiku Endorses Sowore’s #FreeNnamdiKanuNow Protest Set for October 20

Atiku Endorses Sowore’s #FreeNnamdiKanuNow Protest Set for October 20

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has thrown his weight behind Omoyele Sowore’s #FreeNnamdiKanuNow campaign, which demands the immediate release of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

Atiku’s endorsement follows Sowore’s announcement that a peaceful protest march to the Presidential Villa in Abuja will be held on October 20, 2025, to demand justice and adherence to court rulings ordering Kanu’s release.

Sowore, a human rights activist and former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), revealed that he had reached out to prominent Nigerian leaders including Atiku, Peter Obi, Governor Alex Otti of Abia and Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra, urging them to join the march.

“I have tried reaching out personally to Dr. Alex Otti, Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo and Mr. Peter Obi (through his team) today,” Sowore said.

“Alex Otti and Soludo neither took my calls nor responded to my messages. I also reached out to Alhaji Atiku Abubakar through his team, while Senator Enyi Abaribe said he would return my call.”

Reacting via his verified X (Twitter) handle, Atiku Abubakar said Kanu’s continued detention “remains an open sore on our nation’s conscience.”

“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,” Atiku stated.

Atiku further warned that Nigeria’s democracy would remain fragile if citizens and leaders stayed silent in the face of injustice.

Sowore, in his response, clarified that the planned demonstration was not partisan, but a moral call for accountability.

“If we genuinely believe that Mazi Nnamdi Kanu deserves freedom, then every leader of conscience must act now, not later,” he said.

He also challenged key South-East leaders, including Governor Soludo, Governor Otti, Senator Abaribe and Peter Obi, to join the peaceful march.

“Every governor, senator, traditional ruler, priest, and Nigerian who believes in justice should come out. I will lead this peaceful march to the Aso Rock Villa,” Sowore declared.

Read also: Nnamdi Kanu’s Health Motion Sent Back to Chief Judge for Reassignment

Kanu’s lawyer, Barrister Aloy Ejimakor, responded:

“Dear Sowore, I hereby step forward to march with you to Aso Rock to peacefully and visibly demand justice for Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.”

Mazi Nnamdi Kanu has been in DSS custody since June 2021, after being extradited from Kenya under controversial circumstances. He faces terrorism and treason charges, but the Court of Appeal discharged and acquitted him in October 2022, citing violations of international law in his rendition.

However, the Federal Government appealed the ruling, securing a stay of execution from the Supreme Court, which allowed his continued detention.

Despite repeated appeals from South-East governors, religious leaders and human rights groups, Kanu remains detained in solitary confinement.

The planned October 20 protest has sparked renewed national debate about rule of law, human rights and political accountability in Nigeria.