Activist and former African Action Congress presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has declared that a protest march calling for the release of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the banned Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), will hold on October 20.
Sowore announced the plan on his X account on Thursday, describing the march as “historic” and confirming that it would proceed lawfully and peacefully, targeting the Aso Rock Villa in Abuja.
He wrote, “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.”
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Earlier, on Wednesday, Sowore appealed to South-East governors, legislators, traditional leaders, and religious authorities to actively participate in the demonstration.
He urged, “No more empty noise. Let @CCSoludo, @SenatorAbaribe, @alexottiofr, @PeterObi, and all others who claim to care step up and join us in person. Every governor, senator, House member, traditional ruler, priest, eze, Igbo person, and any Nigerian who believes in Kanu’s freedom should do more than just talk.”
Sowore added that he had personally reached out to prominent Igbo figures, including Anambra State Governor Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, Abia State Governor Dr. Alex Otti, and Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi, inviting them to the protest.
He explained, “I tried contacting Dr. @alexottiofr, Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo @CCSoludo, and Mr. @PeterObi (through his team) today. Alex Otti and Soludo did not respond to my calls or messages. They promised to inform Mr. @PeterObi, who is currently travelling. I also reached out to Alhaji @AtikuAbubakar through his team, while Senator @SenatorAbaribe said he would call me back. I spoke with Obinna Agwuocha of the House of Representatives, who was supportive and encouraging.”
Sowore further noted, “Members of the Abia State House of Assembly said they plan to travel to London next week but will return to Abuja for further action. They intend to first approach the Attorney General of the Federation to lodge a complaint and did not anticipate a ‘placard’ protest. I told them that is acceptable; what matters is agreeing on a unified date. This is not a time for hesitation. If we truly believe that @MaziNnamdiKanu deserves freedom, every leader of conscience must act now.”
Kanu has remained in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) since his 2021 re-arrest following his contentious extradition from Kenya. Despite several court orders mandating his release, the Federal Government has not complied, drawing criticism from rights organizations and political leaders.
He faces multiple charges, including terrorism, treasonable felony, and incitement, filed by the Federal Government before the Federal High Court in Abuja. Kanu has consistently pleaded not guilty to all accusations.
In October 2022, the Court of Appeal acquitted Kanu of all charges, ruling that his extradition to Nigeria violated international law.
