Atiku Backs Sowore In Push For Nnamdi Kanu’s Release

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has voiced his support for activist Omoyele Sowore’s campaign demanding the immediate release of detained IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, describing his continued detention as a deep scar on Nigeria’s conscience.

Atiku condemned the government’s refusal to obey multiple court orders granting Kanu bail, saying such defiance represents a clear abuse of power and disregard for the rule of law. He warned that keeping Kanu in custody despite judicial rulings damages public faith in the justice system and undermines the country’s democratic values.

His statement followed Sowore’s recent call for a peaceful protest scheduled for October 20 in Abuja to press for Kanu’s freedom. Sowore had urged South-East leaders, including governors, lawmakers, and traditional rulers, to join the march to the Presidential Villa instead of making empty declarations.

Reacting through his official social media pages, Atiku said Nigerians cannot claim to uphold democracy while ignoring due process. He maintained that Kanu’s case reflects a larger problem of selective justice, where government agencies pick and choose which court orders to follow.

Atiku added that supporting Sowore’s call was not about politics but about restoring faith in Nigeria’s legal institutions. He said that any government that disregards court rulings weakens the nation’s unity and creates divisions that could have long-term consequences.

Nnamdi Kanu has been in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) since 2021 after being re-arrested in Kenya and extradited to Nigeria. Despite several court rulings ordering his release, the federal government has continued to hold him on charges of terrorism, treasonable felony, and incitement, which he has denied.

With Sowore’s planned protest approaching and Atiku’s endorsement adding weight to the campaign, public pressure is now mounting on the federal government to act decisively. The growing call for Kanu’s release has reignited debates about justice, fairness, and respect for the rule of law in Nigeria.