Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has thrown his weight behind the campaign demanding the release of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, describing his prolonged detention as “a stain on Nigeria’s belief in the rule of law.”
Atiku made this known in a post shared on his X handle on Thursday, expressing full support for the movement spearheaded by human rights activist and 2023 African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, calling for Kanu’s freedom.
“The continued detention of Mazi 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,” Atiku said.
He added,
“I, therefore, lend my voice in full support of the campaign led by @YeleSowore 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.”
Sowore had earlier announced plans for a peaceful protest slated for October 20 in Abuja to demand Kanu’s release, urging South-East governors, lawmakers, traditional rulers, and religious leaders to join the demonstration.
The activist said he had reached out to key political figures — including Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo; Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti; Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe; Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi; and Atiku Abubakar — to rally support for the movement.
“This is not the time for hesitation. If we genuinely believe that @MaziNnamdiKanu deserves freedom, then every leader of conscience must act — now, not later,” Sowore declared.
Kanu has remained in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) since his controversial re-arrest and extradition from Kenya in 2021. Despite multiple court rulings — including an October 2022 Court of Appeal judgment that discharged and acquitted him on the grounds that his extradition breached international law — the Federal Government has yet to comply.
The IPOB leader continues to face charges of terrorism, treasonable felony, and incitement before the Federal High Court in Abuja, all of which he has consistently denied.
