Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has joined growing calls for the immediate release of detained IPOB leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, describing his continued incarceration as a “blight on Nigeria’s commitment to the rule of law.”
In a strongly-worded post on his official X (formerly Twitter) account on Thursday, Atiku expressed full support for a nationwide campaign being spearheaded by activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, to secure Kanu’s freedom.
“The continued detention of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu remains an open sore on our nation’s conscience and a stain on our belief in the rule of law. Defying court orders that granted him bail is an abuse of power and an assault on justice,” Atiku wrote.
He added, “I, therefore, lend my voice in full support of the campaign led by @YeleSowore for his immediate release or due prosecution. We fail as patriots if we allow Kanu’s case to fester as yet another wound this nation refuses to heal.”
Sowore had earlier announced plans for a peaceful protest march to the Aso Rock Villa on October 20, urging political leaders, especially from the South-East, to stop making “empty statements” and actively participate in demanding Kanu’s release.
In his outreach, Sowore reportedly contacted several prominent Igbo figures including Anambra State Governor Prof. Charles Soludo, Abia State Governor Dr. Alex Otti, Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate Mr. Peter Obi and Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe among others.
According to him, responses so far have been mixed. While some leaders were unavailable or non-committal, he said Atiku’s endorsement marks a turning point in the campaign.
“This is not the time for hesitation,” Sowore wrote. “If we genuinely believe that Mazi Nnamdi Kanu deserves freedom, then every leader of conscience must act now, not later.”
He further disclosed that although some lawmakers in the Abia State House of Assembly preferred formal diplomatic steps over street protests, they had expressed readiness to pursue legal avenues through the Attorney General of the Federation.
Kanu has been in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) since his controversial re-arrest in 2021, which followed what many legal experts have described as an extraordinary rendition from Kenya.
Despite several court orders mandating his release, including an October 2022 Court of Appeal judgment that acquitted him, federal authorities have refused to set him free.
The government insists he must still answer to terrorism and treason-related charges, all of which Kanu has consistently denied.
