Sowore Meets Jonathan in Abuja Over Nnamdi Kanu’s Detention

Human rights activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore met with former President Goodluck Jonathan in Abuja on Friday to discuss the continued detention of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader, Nnamdi Kanu.

The meeting came ahead of Sowore’s planned protest march to the Aso Rock Presidential Villa on October 20, aimed at demanding Kanu’s unconditional release from the custody of the Department of State Services, where he has been held on terrorism-related charges.

After the meeting, Sowore said the former president agreed that the issue required urgent and fair resolution in the interest of justice and national peace. Jonathan, according to him, also promised to engage President Bola Tinubu soon to discuss possible steps toward resolving the matter.

Sowore expressed appreciation to Jonathan for acknowledging the broader implications of Kanu’s prolonged detention on peace and unity in Nigeria. He added that the former president’s intervention strengthens the growing national appeal for Kanu’s release.

He noted that several notable figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, human rights lawyer Femi Falana, and Senator Shehu Sani, have backed calls for justice in the case.

Sowore said Kanu’s detention reflects long-standing grievances about marginalization in the country and urged that, like other politically charged cases that have been dismissed, Kanu’s case should be resolved through his immediate release.

He further appealed to political and community leaders across the country, including Peter Obi, Governors Charles Soludo, Alex Otti, Francis Nwifuru, Peter Mbah, and Hope Uzodimma, as well as Oby Ezekwesili and Ohanaeze Ndigbo leader John Mbata, to add their voices to the demand for justice and national reconciliation.

The planned protest has continued to attract nationwide attention, with Atiku describing it as a legitimate defense of human rights and democratic principles.