Human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has called on prominent political and traditional leaders from the South-East region to take decisive action towards securing the release of detained leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
Sowore, who made the declaration in a post on his verified social media handles on Wednesday, said he was ready to lead a peaceful and lawful march to the Aso Rock Villa in Abuja, urging South-East governors, lawmakers, traditional rulers, and religious figures to move beyond “empty rhetoric” and show true commitment to Kanu’s cause.
“I will set aside my differences with some politicians for one cause,” Sowore wrote.
“I challenge every politician or person of good conscience from the South-East who says they want Nnamdi Kanu released to stop the rhetoric. Time for action is NOW. Let’s march to the Aso Rock Villa.”
The #RevolutionNow convener specifically named Anambra State governor, Chukwuma Soludo; Abia State governor, Alex Otti; Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, and former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, urging them to physically join the march.
“No more empty noise,” he said. “Let Governor Soludo (@CCSoludo), Senator Abaribe (@SenatorAbaribe), Alex Otti (@alexottiofr), Peter Obi (@PeterObi), and all others who claim to care step up and join us in person.”
According to Sowore, the planned march will be conducted peacefully and legally, focusing on demanding justice and an end to what he described as the “persecution” of the IPOB leader.
“We go together peacefully, legally, and visibly to demand justice and an end to MNK’s persecution. #FreeNnamdiKanuNow,” he added.
Responding to Sowore’s call, Barrister Aloy Ejimakor, Kanu’s Special Counsel, expressed his readiness to join the peaceful demonstration.
“Dear Sowore, I hereby step forward to march with you to Aso Rock to ‘peacefully and visibly demand justice’ for Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. Who is with me? Ndigbo ahoy!” Ejimakor said in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
LEADERSHIP reports that Nnamdi Kanu has remained in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) since June 2021 following his arrest and rendition from Kenya under controversial circumstances.
He faces multiple charges, including terrorism, treasonable felony, and incitement, filed by the Federal Government before the Federal High Court in Abuja. Kanu has consistently pleaded not guilty to all charges.