Human rights activist and former presidential aspirant Omoyele Sowore has stated that former President Goodluck Jonathan has agreed to see President Bola Tinubu on the matter of the continued incarceration of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader, Nnamdi Kanu. Sowore revealed this after meeting with Jonathan in Abuja on Friday and explained that they spoke about the “urgent and compelling necessity” to introduce finality and justice to Kanu’s case.
In a tweet, Sowore said, “Earlier today in Abuja, I met with former President @GEJonathan. to discuss the ongoing detention of Mazi @NnamdiKanulist. President Jonathan agreed that there is an urgent and compelling need to address this matter decisively and justly.” He also wrote that Jonathan also “pledged to meet … President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to discuss this matter as soon as possible.”
Kanu has been detained since 2021 following his re-arrest abroad and extradition to Nigeria to face trial for terrorism and treasonable felony. Several court orders freeing or granting him bail have not been obeyed.
Sowore used his platform with Jonathan to once more demand Kanu’s release, describing the detention as stemming from Kanu’s activism to address perceived marginalization in Nigeria. “Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is still in detention today because he took up the just cause of addressing the long‐standing issue of marginalisation in Nigeria,” Sowore said.
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He also called on influential people across political, cultural, and regional divides—like Peter Obi, Chukwuma Soludo, Hope Uzodinma, and John Mbata of Ohanaeze Ndigbo—to be part of the movement for Kanu’s release.
This step is important because it could increase pressure on the federal government to obey court orders or seek other legal or political solutions.
Meanwhile, Sowore is mobilizing broader support. He has invited a planned peaceful march to the Presidential Villa (Aso Rock) on October 20 to demand Kanu’s unconditional release, and is inviting politicians and civic actors to be part of the #FreeNnamdiKanu movement.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has also spoken out early in the week, referring to Kanu’s incarceration as “an open sore on Nigeria’s conscience” and calling for his release or fair trial.