Activist Sowore Plans Major Rally on 20 October to Seek Release of IPOB Chief

A well-known campaigner and past hopeful for the nation’s highest office under the African Action Congress banner, Omoyele Sowore, has set 20 October as the day for a large-scale gathering aimed at pressing for the freedom of Nnamdi Kanu, the head of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra group.

Sowore shared this update on his account on the social media site X during the week. He described the event as a landmark walk to the presidential quarters in Abuja, stressing that it would unfold without trouble and in full line with the rules, all to call for Kanu’s unconditional letting go.

In his message, Sowore stated: “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.”

The day before, Sowore had called on leaders from the south-eastern region, including state heads, members of parliament, community elders, and faith guides, to take part in the show of strength.

He made a direct plea: “No more empty noise. Let those who say they support him, like the Anambra governor, the senator from Abia, the Abia state head, and the Labour Party’s last election hopeful, come forward and stand with us in the flesh.”

Sowore added: “Every state boss, lawmaker, community chief, spiritual figure, Igbo resident, and any citizen who backs Kanu’s liberty must do far more than just speak up.”

He revealed efforts to connect with key figures from the Igbo community, such as the Anambra governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo; Abia senator Enyinnaya Abaribe; Abia state governor Doctor Alex Otti; and Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s choice for president in 2023.

Sowore detailed: “I have tried reaching out personally to Doctor Alex Otti, Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo, and Mister Peter Obi (through his aides) today. Alex Otti and Soludo neither took my calls nor responded to my messages. They promised to tell Mister Peter Obi about our plans, although he is currently travelling. I also reached out to Alhaji Atiku Abubakar through his team, while Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe said he would return my call. I spoke with Obinna Agwuocha of the House of Representatives. He was receptive and encouraging.”

He went on: “The Abia State House of Assembly members informed me that they plan to travel to London next week and then return directly to Abuja for further action. They mentioned they intend to visit the Attorney General of the Federation first to lodge a complaint; they didn’t anticipate a ‘placard’ protest. I told them, that’s fine; what matters most is that we agree on a unified date for action.”

Sowore wrapped up by saying: “This is not the time for hesitation. If we genuinely believe that Mazi Nnamdi Kanu deserves freedom, then every leader of conscience must act, now, not later.”

Kanu has remained under lock and key with the State Security Service since his recapture in 2021, following a disputed handover from Kenya. Even though judges have several times ruled in his favour and ordered his discharge, the central authorities have refused to follow through, sparking outcry from human rights defenders and elected officials.

The government has brought cases against him in an Abuja federal court, accusing him of stirring up terror, serious disloyalty, and rousing unrest. Kanu has always denied the allegations.

In the autumn of 2022, appeal court judges cleared him of every charge, deciding that his forced return to Nigeria broke global agreements.