Human rights activist and politician Omoyele Sowore on Friday held a meeting with former President Goodluck Jonathan to discuss the continued detention of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), who remains in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) on terrorism-related charges.
Sowore, who is organizing a protest march to Aso Rock Presidential Villa on October 20 to demand Kanu’s unconditional release, revealed in a post on X that Jonathan shared his concerns and emphasized the need for a fair and decisive resolution of the issue.
According to Sowore, the former president expressed readiness to engage President Bola Tinubu on the matter soon. He thanked Jonathan for “recognizing the urgency of resolving Kanu’s case in the interest of peace, justice, and national reconciliation.”
Sowore noted that Jonathan’s intervention adds weight to growing calls for justice in the case, joining prominent figures such as former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN), and Senator Shehu Sani, among others, who have urged the government to act.
In his statement, Sowore described Kanu’s detention as politically motivated, saying:
> “Mazi Nnamdi Kanu remains in custody because he courageously confronted the issue of marginalization in Nigeria. Like other activists whose cases have been dropped, he deserves to be released immediately.”
The former presidential candidate also appealed to national and regional leaders—including Peter Obi, Governors Charles Soludo, Alex Otti, Francis Nwifuru, Peter Mbah, and Hope Uzodimma, as well as Oby Ezekwesili and John Mbata of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide—to join the call for justice and freedom.
Meanwhile, Atiku Abubakar has publicly endorsed the planned protest, describing it as a legitimate defence of human rights and due process.
