Campaigners calling for the release of Nnamdi Kanu, the head of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra, plan to gather peacefully in Abuja today and head straight to the Presidential Villa, brushing aside a judge’s temporary block and stern warnings from safety officials.
The group behind the action, known as #FreeNnamdiKanuNow, aims to press the authorities to let Kanu go without conditions. He remains in detention facing accusations of stirring up terror, disloyalty, and unrest. Officials claim he pushed for Biafra’s split from Nigeria using harsh words on social media and through Radio Biafra broadcasts. The group was labelled a terror outfit back in 2017. Kanu escaped bail that year but was caught again in Kenya in 2021 and brought back here, which led to big arguments in courts and abroad. Lately, a health check cleared him to face trial, though his well-being has worried many.
A judge in Abuja’s Federal High Court stepped in on Friday with a quick ruling to stop the rally near important spots like the Presidential Villa, the National Assembly building, police headquarters, the Court of Appeal, Eagle Square, and Shehu Shagari Way. The order came after police asked for it to keep things calm, and it stays in place until a full hearing today. But the rally leaders say they have not received the paper yet and will carry on, as marching quietly anywhere in the country is a right protected by the rules.
Damilare Adenola, who handles outreach for the Take It Back Movement, made it clear nothing will put them off. He said marching without trouble is something everyone can do under the law, and they will not back down from challenging what he called a cruel and wrongful hold on Kanu that chips away at people’s freedoms and twists justice. Maxwell Opara, a lawyer for the group, agreed that heading to the government’s heart is the best way for ordinary folks to speak directly to those in charge. He added that even the Presidential Villa ought to stand as a sign of open talk for complaints, and they had already told police about the plans so officers can keep watch and stop any troublemakers from joining in.
Omoyele Sowore, the rights campaigner leading the effort and a past presidential hopeful, said turnout will be huge and well-organised in Abuja, with matching events in south-eastern states and at Nigerian offices abroad. He revealed more than 115 lawyers, doctors, and reporters are ready to help, along with teams in many places, including chats with former president Goodluck Jonathan and groups overseas. Adenola put the onus on police to keep peace, saying it is usually them who stir things up, and the group has lawyers waiting to step in if anyone gets held.
Big names in opposition circles have thrown their weight behind the call. Former vice president Atiku Abubakar and Peter Obi, who ran for president under the Labour Party last time, both want talks instead of keeping Kanu locked up. Obi said there was no good reason to grab him to begin with and that chatting is the only way to settle split-up demands for good. A top voice from Obi’s supporters, Dr Yunusa Tanko, backed his push for fair treatment no matter the background. Ladipo Johnson from the New Nigeria People’s Party said quiet rallies are a basic part of democracy that must stay safe. Tony Akeni, speaking for Labour’s acting press team, slammed leaders for going after Kanu while dealing softly with bandits in the north who have done far worse, saying it has drawn anger from around the world—even a chief from Ghana wants in on the marches as a sign of Nigeria’s unfair ways.
Kanu’s legal helpers are split on the rally. Senior lawyer Onyechi Ikpeazu said he sticks to courtroom fights and won’t fight people’s right to speak out, but won’t join in himself. He ruled out a pardon from the top, as that only works for those already found guilty, which Kanu is not. But another team member, Aloy Ejimakor, fully backs it as a citizen’s duty and plans to be there, though he has not checked with Kanu on it.
Safety teams are on edge, especially since today marks five years since the #EndSARS marches that ended in claims of a shooting at Lekki. The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in the capital warned against wrecking public or private spots, with boss Olusola Odumosu saying his group will not stand for damage or theft dressed up as protest. They have sent out special units to watch key areas and protect buildings, telling officers to stay calm but hit back hard at crime. The prison service has marked all its sites as no-go zones, with spokesman Umar Abubakar saying only those with real business there should come near, or risk trouble.
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