Activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore has announced that a protest march demanding the release of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader Nnamdi Kanu will take place on October 20 in Abuja.
The African Action Congress (AAC) founder shared the date on his X handle on Thursday, describing the demonstration as a “historic” and peaceful march to the Aso Rock Villa.
“We now have a date for the historic #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest march to the Aso Rock Villa in Abuja. It is October 20 at 7 am,” Sowore wrote, urging Nigerians to join the call for Kanu’s release.
In the days leading up to the announcement, Sowore reached out to prominent South-East political figures, including governors, lawmakers, traditional rulers, and religious leaders, urging their participation. He specifically called on Anambra State Governor Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, Abia State Governor Dr Alex Otti, and Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi to join the demonstration.
“No more empty noise. Let @CCSoludo, @SenatorAbaribe, @alexottiofr, @PeterObi, and all others who claim to care step up and join us in person,” Sowore urged.
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He revealed that while some leaders, such as Otti and Soludo, have yet to respond to his calls or messages, others like Senator Abaribe have shown interest in supporting the cause. Sowore also said he contacted former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s team and received encouragement from some lawmakers.
The protest aims to unify voices demanding Kanu’s freedom amid ongoing controversy surrounding his detention. Kanu has been held by the Department of State Services (DSS) since his re-arrest in 2021 following his extradition from Kenya.
Despite several court rulings ordering his release, including a 2022 Court of Appeal judgment acquitting him of all charges and condemning his extradition as unlawful, the Federal Government has maintained his detention. Kanu faces charges related to terrorism, treasonable felony, and incitement.
Sowore emphasised the urgency of action, writing, “If we genuinely believe that @MaziNnamdiKanu deserves freedom, then every leader of conscience must act, now, not later.”
The protest is expected to draw national attention to the ongoing legal and political dispute surrounding Kanu’s detention and the broader struggle for rights in the South-East region.
