A MAJOR political alliance appears to be forming around the demand for the release of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, as former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has joined the campaign initiated by activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, calling for his immediate release.
Sowore, in a bold declaration on Wednesday via his verified X (formerly Twitter) account sighted by News Point Nigeria, announced plans for a protest march to Aso Rock Presidential Villa in Abuja to demand Kanu’s release from prolonged detention.
The activist also extended an open invitation to prominent political figures and opinion leaders from the Southeast to join the cause.
“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 Aso Rock Villa,” Sowore wrote, pledging to set aside political differences in the spirit of justice and solidarity.
According to him, the peaceful march themed #FreeNnamdiKanuNow will take place on October 20, 2025, at 7:00 a.m., starting from the Unity Fountain, Abuja, and proceeding to the Presidential Villa.
Responding to Sowore’s call on Thursday, Atiku Abubakar, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate in the 2023 general election publicly declared his support for the campaign, describing Kanu’s continued detention as “a stain on the nation’s conscience.”
In a statement released via his verified X account, Atiku said: “The continued detention of 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 Yele Sowore for his immediate release or due prosecution. We fail as patriots if we allow Kanu’s case to fester as yet another wound this nation refuses to heal.”
Atiku’s endorsement of Sowore’s action adds significant political weight to the renewed advocacy for Kanu’s release, especially as it unites figures from different ideological divides.
Meanwhile, Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Wednesday adjourned Nnamdi Kanu’s trial on terrorism-related charges to October 16, 2025.
The adjournment followed the Nigerian Medical Association’s (NMA) request for more time to complete an independent medical assessment of Kanu’s health condition.
At the last hearing, the court had directed the NMA President to constitute a panel of medical experts to examine the IPOB leader’s health and present a detailed report before further proceedings.
Nnamdi Kanu, who leads the separatist group IPOB, was first arrested in October 2015 on multiple charges, including terrorism, treasonable felony, managing an unlawful society, publication of defamatory material, illegal possession of firearms, and improper importation of goods.
He was later granted bail in April 2017, but fled Nigeria after his home in Abia State was raided by security forces.
In June 2021, Kanu was re-arrested in Kenya and repatriated to Nigeria, sparking national and international outrage over alleged violations of international law. Since then, he has remained in detention despite several court rulings granting him bail.
Sowore, in his latest statement, urged Nigerians of all ethnic backgrounds to join the peaceful march, insisting that the protest was not an ethnic campaign but a demand for justice and rule of law.
“This is beyond politics or tribe. Nnamdi Kanu’s unlawful detention challenges the essence of democracy and justice in Nigeria,” he said.