Human rights activist and presidential candidate of the African Action Congress, AAC, in the 2019 and 2023 elections, Omoyele Sowore, has called on politicians and Nigerians of good conscience to join him in a peaceful march to the Aso Rock Villa to demand the release of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu.
Sowore made the call on Tuesday night through a post on his official social media page, saying he was ready to put aside political differences for the cause of justice.
According to him, “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 @NnamdiKanu released to stop the rhetoric. Time for action is NOW. Let’s march to Aso Rock Villa.”
The AAC leader urged prominent politicians, traditional leaders, and citizens—especially from the Southeast—to join the march rather than making empty statements.
“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 further challenged notable figures such as Anambra State Governor Charles Soludo, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, Abia State Governor Alex Otti, and Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi to participate in the peaceful action.
“No more empty noise. Let @CCSoludo, @SenatorAbaribe, @alexottiofr, @PeterObi, and all others who claim to care step up and join us in person,” he added.
Sowore emphasized that the planned demonstration would be peaceful, lawful, and transparent, saying it is aimed at demanding justice and an end to what he called the persecution of Nnamdi Kanu.
“We go together peacefully, legally, and visibly to demand justice and an end to MNK’s persecution. #FreeNnamdiKanuNow,” he concluded.
In June 2021, the IPOB leader was arrested in Kenya under controversial circumstances and extradited to Nigeria to face long-standing charges of treasonable felony.
He was subsequently arraigned before Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court, Abuja, who ordered his remand in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS).
Since then, Kanu has remained in detention while attending multiple court proceedings related to his renewed trial. His prosecution stems from his calls for the secession of the South-East region and the creation of an independent Biafran state, a movement the Nigerian government has since proscribed and labelled a terrorist organisation.