{"id":9045,"date":"2025-10-11T04:17:22","date_gmt":"2025-10-11T04:17:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/beadysword.com.ng\/blog\/?p=9045"},"modified":"2025-10-11T04:17:22","modified_gmt":"2025-10-11T04:17:22","slug":"atiku-demands-nnamdi-kanus-release-backs-sowores-protest-campaign","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/beadysword.com.ng\/blog\/2025\/10\/11\/atiku-demands-nnamdi-kanus-release-backs-sowores-protest-campaign\/","title":{"rendered":"Atiku demands Nnamdi Kanu\u2019s release, backs Sowore\u2019s protest campaign"},"content":{"rendered":"

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has thrown his weight behind the campaign led by human rights activist and ex-presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, demanding the release of detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.<\/p>\n

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Atiku, in a post on his official X handle on Thursday, described Kanu\u2019s continued detention as \u201can open sore on our nation\u2019s conscience\u201d and urged the Federal Government to either release him or ensure a fair trial.<\/p>\n

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\u201cThe continued detention of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu remains an open sore on our nation\u2019s conscience and a stain on our belief in the rule of law.<\/p>\n

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\u201cDefying court orders that granted him bail is an abuse of power and an assault on justice.<\/p>\n

\u201cI, therefore, lend my voice in full support of the campaign led by @YeleSowore for his immediate release or due prosecution,\u201d Atiku wrote.<\/p>\n

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He added that Nigeria must not allow the case to linger indefinitely, saying, \u201cWe fail as patriots if we allow Kanu\u2019s case to fester as yet another wound this nation refuses to heal.\u201d<\/p>\n

Atiku\u2019s statement followed Sowore\u2019s announcement on Wednesday of a nationwide campaign to demand Kanu\u2019s freedom.<\/p>\n

The Eagle Online reports that Sowore has announced October 20 as the date for a protest march to the Aso Rock Presidential Villa in Abuja to demand the release of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.<\/p>\n

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Sowore made this known on his X handle on Thursday, stating that the demonstration, tagged #FreeNnamdiKanuNow, will commence by 7 a.m.<\/p>\n

The activist, known for his consistent advocacy for civil rights and political reform, described the upcoming protest as a \u201chistoric\u201d move, while assuring that it would be conducted peacefully and legally to demand the release of the IPOB leader.<\/p>\n

The activist wrote, \u201cWe now have a date for the historic #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest march to the Aso Rock Villa in Abuja. It is October 20 at 7 am.\u201d<\/p>\n

On Wednesday, Sowore called on political leaders and other influential stakeholders from the South-East region to take concrete action towards securing the release of detained IPOB leader, declaring his readiness to lead a peaceful march to the Aso Rock Villa in Abuja.<\/p>\n

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He urged South-East governors, lawmakers, traditional rulers, and religious leaders to move beyond verbal support and join the demonstration to secure Kanu\u2019s release.<\/p>\n

Sowore made the declaration in a post on his verified social media handle on Wednesday, adding that he was ready to set aside political differences in pursuit of justice for Kanu.<\/p>\n

\u201cI will set aside my differences with some politicians for one cause,\u201d he wrote.<\/p>\n

\u201cI challenge every politician or person of good conscience from the Southeast who says they want Nnamdi Kanu released to stop the rhetoric.<\/p>\n

\u201cTime for action is NOW. Let\u2019s march to the Aso Rock Villa.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cEvery governor, senator, member of the House, traditional ruler, priest, eze, Igbo person, and every Nigerian who believes in Kanu\u2019s freedom, come out and do more than talk.<\/p>\n

\u201cI will lead this peaceful march to the Aso Rock Villa,\u201d Sowore declared.<\/p>\n

He specifically tagged Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, Abia State Governor Alex Otti, and former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, challenging them to join in the protest.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo 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,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Sowore, convener of the #RevolutionNow movement, stressed that the march would be peaceful and lawful, aimed at demanding justice and an end to what he described as the persecution of Nnamdi Kanu.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe go together peacefully, legally, and visibly to demand justice and an end to MNK\u2019s persecution. #FreeNnamdiKanuNow,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n

Kanu has been in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) since June 2021, following his arrest and extraordinary rendition to Nigeria from Kenya under controversial circumstances.<\/p>\n

He faces charges bordering on terrorism, treasonable felony, and incitement, filed by the Federal Government before the Federal High Court in Abuja.<\/p>\n

Kanu has consistently pleaded not guilty to all counts.<\/p>\n

Despite multiple court rulings ordering his release, the Federal Government has yet to comply, drawing condemnation from rights groups and political leaders.<\/p>\n

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