Rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, on Friday met with former President Goodluck Jonathan to seek support for the release of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.
Naijaonpoint understands that Kanu, who has been in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) since 2021, is facing terrorism-related charges.
Speaking after the meeting, Sowore disclosed in a post on 𝕏 that Jonathan agreed on the “urgent and compelling need to address this matter decisively and justly.”
He added that the former president promised to raise the issue directly with President Bola Tinubu.
Sowore also confirmed that he would lead a peaceful march to the Aso Rock Presidential Villa on October 20 to demand Kanu’s unconditional release.
“With this, former President Jonathan joins a growing list of Nigerians who have called for justice in Nnamdi Kanu’s case, a list that already includes ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Femi Falana (SAN), Senator Shehu Sani, and many others across political and regional divides,” Sowore stated.
The activist insisted that Kanu, like other regional and ethnic agitators whose cases were politically motivated, deserves freedom.
“Mazi Nnamdi Kanu remains in detention today because he took up the just cause of confronting the long-standing issue of marginalization in Nigeria. Like other ethnic and regional activists whose politically motivated cases have been withdrawn or dismissed, Nnamdi Kanu should also be released without further delay,” he said.
Sowore urged political and opinion leaders, including Peter Obi, Governor Charles Soludo, Governor Alex Otti, Governor Francis Nwifuru, Governor Peter Mbah, Governor Hope Uzodimma, Oby Ezekwesili, and John Mbata of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, to join the growing demand for Kanu’s release.
He appealed to “Nigerians of conscience everywhere to lend their voices to the call for justice and freedom.”
Meanwhile, former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has thrown his weight behind the October 20 march, describing it as a legitimate defence of human rights.
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