“The Continued Detention of Nnamdi Kanu Is an Assault on Justice” — Atiku Backs Sowore’s #FreeNnamdiKanuNow Campaign

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has publicly endorsed human rights activist and former African Action Congress presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore’s campaign calling for the immediate release of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader Nnamdi Kanu. The endorsement comes ahead of a planned peaceful protest march to the Presidential Villa in Abuja on October 20, announced by Sowore earlier this week.

Sowore said he reached out to prominent 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 rally support for the protest. He emphasized that the mobilisation is not partisan but a moral call to action demanding justice and adherence to the rule of law regarding Kanu’s prolonged detention.

While some leaders, such as Otti and Soludo, did not respond to Sowore’s outreach, Atiku lent his support through his aides. Speaking on his verified X account, Atiku described Kanu’s continued detention despite court orders granting bail as “an abuse of power and an assault on justice” and pledged his full backing of Sowore’s campaign for Kanu’s immediate release or due prosecution. He warned that Nigeria’s democracy suffers when citizens and leaders remain silent in the face of injustice.

Sowore reiterated his commitment to a peaceful and lawful protest, urging leaders and citizens from the South-East, including governors, lawmakers, and traditional and religious figures, to go beyond verbal support and take concrete action. He specifically called on Governor Soludo, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, Governor Otti, and Peter Obi to participate in the march.

Kanu has been in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) since June 2021, following his arrest and extradition from Kenya under controversial circumstances. He faces charges including terrorism, treasonable felony, and incitement before the Federal High Court in Abuja, all of which he has pleaded not guilty to. Although the Court of Appeal acquitted him in October 2022, the Federal Government appealed, obtaining a Supreme Court stay that has allowed his continued detention. Despite repeated calls for his release from South-East leaders, traditional and religious figures, and international human rights groups, Kanu remains in solitary confinement at the DSS facility in Abuja.