Human rights activist and former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, has announced October 20 as the date for a nationwide protest march to demand the release of the detained Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader, Nnamdi Kanu.
Sowore made the announcement via his X (formerly Twitter) account on Thursday, describing the event as a “historic” and peaceful march to Aso Rock Villa, Abuja.
“We now have a date for the historic #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest march to the Aso Rock Villa in Abuja. It is October 20 at 7 am,” he wrote.
The activist assured that the demonstration would be conducted peacefully and lawfully, calling on Nigerians across all regions—especially leaders from the South-East—to join the movement.
On Wednesday, Sowore had urged prominent figures including Governor Chukwuma Soludo, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, Governor Alex Otti, and Peter Obi to participate physically in the protest.
“No more empty noise. Let @CCSoludo, @SenatorAbaribe, @alexottiofr, @PeterObi, and all others who claim to care step up and join us in person,” he wrote.
“Every governor, senator, member of the House, traditional ruler, priest, eze, Igbo person, and every Nigerian who believes in Kanu’s freedom should come out and do more than talk.”
Sowore added that he had personally reached out to several of the leaders, noting mixed responses. He revealed that while Abaribe promised to return his call, others, including Soludo and Otti, did not respond to his messages.
The activist further disclosed that he contacted former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and Obinna Agwuocha, a House of Representatives member, who expressed encouragement for the initiative.
Sowore emphasized the urgency of action, saying:
“This is not the time for hesitation. If we genuinely believe that @MaziNnamdiKanu deserves freedom, then every leader of conscience must act—now, not later.”
Nnamdi Kanu has been in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) since his re-arrest in 2021 following a controversial extradition from Kenya. Despite multiple court rulings, including an October 2022 Court of Appeal judgment that discharged and acquitted him, the Federal Government has yet to comply with the order for his release.
Kanu still faces charges of treasonable felony, terrorism, and incitement before the Federal High Court in Abuja, all of which he has consistently denied.
