Human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has disclosed that former President Goodluck Jonathan has agreed to engage President Bola Tinubu on the continued detention of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
Sowore made this known on Friday via his X handle after a private meeting with Jonathan in Abuja.
According to Sowore, their conversation focused on the “urgent and compelling need” to resolve Kanu’s prolonged detention “decisively and justly.”
He wrote,
“Earlier today in Abuja, I met with former President @GEJonathan to discuss the continued incarceration of Mazi @NnamdiKanu. President Jonathan agreed that there is an urgent need to address this matter fairly and conclusively.”
Sowore added that Jonathan assured him of his commitment to meet President Tinubu “as soon as possible” to discuss the issue, describing it as key to promoting peace, fairness, and national healing.
With this development, Jonathan joins a growing list of prominent Nigerians — including Atiku Abubakar, Femi Falana (SAN), and Senator Shehu Sani — who have publicly called for justice in Kanu’s case.
Sowore reiterated his demand for Kanu’s release, maintaining that the IPOB leader “remains detained because he dared to confront the longstanding issue of marginalisation in Nigeria.”
He further urged other political, cultural, and religious figures such as Peter Obi, Chukwuma Soludo, Alex Otti, Francis Nwifuru, Peter Mbah, Hope Uzodinma, Oby Ezekwesili, and Ohanaeze Ndigbo’s John Mbata to support the campaign for Kanu’s freedom.
Nnamdi Kanu has been in detention since 2021, after being re-arrested abroad and brought back to Nigeria to face charges related to terrorism and treasonable felony. Despite multiple court rulings ordering his release, the government has yet to comply.
