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Human rights activist Omoyele Sowore commenced mobilisation on Monday, October 13, for the planned October 20 #FreeNnamdiKanu march protest at the Presidential Villa, demanding the immediate and unconditional release of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
SaharaReporters was informed that the Gudu Igbo Association in Abuja on Monday invited Sowore to address its members and mobilise them for the protest to demand the immediate release of Nnamdi Kanu.
Confirming the commencement of mobilisation for the protest in a post on his verified X (formerly Twitter) account on Monday, Sowore wrote, “Today, we’ve commenced the nationwide mobilization for #FreeNnamdiKanuNow #MNK20 March to Aso Rock Villa.”
In a video attached to his post, Kanu’s Special Counsel, Barrister Aloy Ejimakor, is seen addressing the crowd, who chanted songs of praise and solidarity with Sowore’s name as they reiterate their unflinching commitment to participate in the protest.
Sowore, on Thursday, October 9, announced October 20 as the date for a protest march to the Presidential Villa (Aso Rock), Abuja, to demand the release of Kanu, who has been detained by the Department of State Services (DSS) since June 2021, following his abduction and extraordinary rendition from Kenya.
On Tuesday, October 7, Sowore called on political leaders and other stakeholders from the South-East region to join him in a peaceful march to the Presidential Villa, Abuja, to demand the immediate release of the IPOB leader.
In a post on his X (formerly Twitter) account, Sowore stated that he was ready to set aside political differences in pursuit of justice for Kanu.
The former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) wrote, “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 Nnamdi Kanu released to stop the rhetoric. Time for action is NOW. Let’s march to the Aso Rock Villa.”
Sowore urged prominent figures from the region, including governors, lawmakers, traditional and religious leaders, to take concrete steps beyond verbal support for Kanu’s release.
He specifically tagged Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, Abia State Governor Alex Otti, and former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, challenging them to join in the protest.
“No more empty noise. 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,” he said.
Sowore stressed that the march would be peaceful and lawful, aimed at demanding justice and an end to what he described as the persecution of Nnamdi Kanu.
Since the renewed campaign for Kanu’s release, the movement has attracted broad support, including former Abia State lawmakers, former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, MASSOB founder Chief Ralph Uwazuruike, and Kanu’s special counsel, Barrister Ejimakor.
