The 2023 presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, has issued a passionate call to prominent South East leaders to join him in a peaceful march to Aso Rock, demanding the release of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.
Naija Blog reports that Kanu has been in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) since June 2021, following his arrest and extradition to Nigeria.
In a statement shared via his Instagram page, Sowore urged influential figures including the former Labour Party (LP) presidential candidate, Peter Obi, Anambra State Governor Charles Soludo, Abia State Governor Alex Otti, and other South East political and traditional leaders to move beyond rhetoric and take concrete action.
He wrote:
“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 @mazinnamdikanu released to stop the rhetoric. Time for action is NOW. Let’s march to the Aso Rock Villa.”
Sowore further stated that every concerned Nigerian — governors, lawmakers, traditional rulers, religious leaders, and citizens — should join the march to demand justice for Kanu.
“No more empty noise. Let @CCSoludo, @enyinnayaabaribe, @alexottiofr, @peterobigregory and all others who claim to care step up and join us in person. We go together peacefully, legally, and visibly to demand justice and an end to MNK’s persecution. Chikena! Jisie Ike! #FreeNnamdiKanuNow,” he added.
The activist’s statement has sparked mixed reactions on social media, with many Nigerians expressing support for his call to action while others questioned the government’s readiness to engage in dialogue over Kanu’s prolonged detention.