Human rights activist and former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, has announced October 20 as the date for a peaceful march to the Presidential Villa, Abuja, to demand the release of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
Sowore, who made the announcement on Thursday via his X (formerly Twitter) account, described the event as a “historic #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest march,” scheduled to begin at 7 a.m. in the nation’s capital.
On Tuesday, the #RevolutionNow convener had urged political leaders and stakeholders from the South-East region to join him in the peaceful demonstration aimed at pressing for Kanu’s freedom. He emphasized his readiness to set aside political differences for the cause, declaring that the time for rhetoric was over.
“I will set aside my differences with some politicians for one cause. I challenge every politician or person of good conscience from the Southeast who says they want Nnamdi Kanu released to stop the rhetoric. Time for action is NOW. Let’s march to the Aso Rock Villa,” Sowore wrote.
He called on prominent Igbo figures, including Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, Abia State Governor Alex Otti, and Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi, to join the march.
“No more empty noise. Let Governor Soludo, Senator Abaribe, Alex Otti, Peter Obi, and all others who claim to care step up and join us in person,” he said, stressing that the demonstration would be peaceful and lawful.
Reacting to Sowore’s call, Nnamdi Kanu’s Special Counsel, Barrister Aloy Ejimakor, expressed support for the initiative, saying, “Dear Sowore, I hereby step forward to match with you to Aso Rock to peacefully and visibly demand justice for Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. Who is with me? Ndigbo ahoy!”
Similarly, Chief Ralph Uwazuruike, founder of the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) and leader of the Biafra Independence Movement (BIM), also declared his intention to participate in the march.
Nnamdi Kanu has remained in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) since June 2021, following his arrest and controversial rendition from Kenya. He faces multiple charges, including terrorism and treasonable felony, before the Federal High Court in Abuja — charges to which he has consistently pleaded not guilty.
In October 2022, the Court of Appeal discharged and acquitted Kanu, ruling that his extradition violated international laws. However, the Federal Government appealed the decision and obtained a stay of execution from the Supreme Court, allowing his continued detention.
Despite repeated calls from South-East governors, traditional and religious leaders, and international rights groups for his release, Kanu remains in solitary confinement at the DSS facility in Abuja. His legal team has repeatedly condemned the government’s disregard for court orders granting his release, describing it as a violation of his fundamental human rights.
Sowore’s latest move adds to mounting public pressure on the Federal Government to comply with court rulings and either release Kanu or ensure a fair and speedy trial in accordance with constitutional and international standards.
