Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has openly declared his support for activist and presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore’s campaign demanding the release of detained Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
In a post shared on his official X (formerly Twitter) handle on Thursday, Atiku described Kanu’s continued detention as “an open sore on our nation’s conscience” and called on the Federal Government to either release him or ensure a fair trial.
“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. I, therefore, lend my voice in full support of the campaign led by @YeleSowore for his immediate release or due prosecution,” Atiku wrote.
He further warned that Nigeria must not allow the case to fester indefinitely. “We fail as patriots if we allow Kanu’s case to fester as yet another wound this nation refuses to heal,” he added.
Atiku’s statement came shortly after Sowore announced on Tuesday a nationwide campaign to demand Kanu’s freedom. The publisher of Sahara Reporters called on political, religious, and traditional leaders — especially from the South-East — to join what he described as a “peaceful, legal, and visible march to Aso Rock Villa.”
“I will set aside my differences with some politicians for one cause. Time for action is NOW. Let’s march to Aso Rock Villa. Every governor, senator, member of the House, traditional ruler, priest, eze, Igbo person, and every Nigerian who believes in Kanu’s freedom, come out and do more than talk. I will lead this peaceful march to the Aso Rock Villa,” Sowore said.
He specifically urged leaders such as Charles Chukwuma Soludo, Alex Otti, Peter Obi, and Enyinnaya Abaribe to “step up and join in person.”
In a follow-up post on Wednesday, Sowore revealed that he had personally reached out to the mentioned leaders.
“Alex Otti and Soludo neither took my calls nor responded to my messages,” he wrote, adding that Obi’s team acknowledged his message, while Abaribe promised to return his call.
