— Activist calls on South-East leaders to join “historic” march to Aso Rock
Human rights activist and former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, has announced October 20 as the date for a protest march to demand the immediate release of the detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.
Sowore disclosed this in a post on his official X handle on Thursday, describing the planned demonstration as a “historic and peaceful march” to the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
According to him, the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest would commence by 7 a.m., and would be conducted “peacefully and lawfully” to press home the demand for Kanu’s unconditional freedom.
“We now have a date for the historic #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest march to the Aso Rock Villa in Abuja. It is October 20 at 7 a.m.,” Sowore wrote.
The activist further called on political leaders, governors, lawmakers, traditional rulers, and clerics from the South-East to join the protest in solidarity.
“No more empty talk. Let Governors Soludo, Alex Otti, Peter Obi, Abaribe, and every Igbo leader who claims to care about Nnamdi Kanu’s freedom come out and join us in person,” he urged.
Sowore revealed that he had personally reached out to several prominent figures, including Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo; Abia State Governor, Dr Alex Otti; Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Peter Obi; former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar; and Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe.
While some reportedly responded positively, Sowore lamented that others neither picked his calls nor replied to his messages.
He stated that members of the Abia State House of Assembly had informed him of their plan to first meet with the Attorney General of the Federation before taking part in any public demonstration, adding that “what matters most is that we act together on a common date.”
> “This is not the time for hesitation. If we truly believe Nnamdi Kanu deserves freedom, every leader of conscience must act — now, not later,” Sowore emphasised.
Kanu has been in the custody of the Department of State Services since 2021 following his controversial extradition from Kenya. Despite several court orders granting him bail and directing his release, the Federal Government has continued to detain him.
The IPOB leader faces charges bordering on terrorism, treasonable felony, and incitement at the Federal High Court in Abuja — allegations he has consistently denied.
In October 2022, the Court of Appeal discharged and acquitted Kanu, ruling that his extraordinary rendition from Kenya breached international law. However, the government appealed the judgment, leaving Kanu’s fate hanging amid growing calls for his release.
As the October 20 protest draws near, all eyes will be on Abuja to see whether Sowore’s planned march can rekindle political pressure and public advocacy for the embattled separatist leader’s freedom.
