Dare Babalola
Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, on Thursday, backed the call for a demonstration demanding the release of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
In a post via X on Thursday, Activist Omoyele Sowore, announced October 20 as the date for a protest march to demand the release of Kanu.
According to him, the protest would be a “historic” march to the Aso Rock Villa in Abuja, while assuring that it would be conducted peacefully and legally to demand the release of the IPOB leader.
The activist 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.”
Reacting to the calls, Atiku, in a post on X on Thursday, described Kanu’s continued detention as a sore on Nigeria’s conscience.
Atiku wrote, “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.
“We fail as patriots if we allow Kanu’s case to fester as yet another wound this nation refuses to heal. –AA”
On Wednesday, Sowore urged all South-East governors, lawmakers, traditional rulers, and religious leaders 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.
“Every governor, senator, member of the House, traditional ruler, priest, eze, Igbo person, and every Nigerian who believes in Kanu’s freedom should come out and do more than talk,” he added.
He also emphasised that he had reached out to other prominent Igbo leaders, 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, to join the protest.
Kanu has been detained since his rearrest in Kenya and repatriated to Nigeria in 2021.
Despite court orders, Kanu is currently facing charges for terrorism before Justice James Omotosho of the Abuja Federal High Court.
