Human rights activist and former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, has announced plans to lead a nationwide protest on October 20 to demand the release of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.
Sowore made the announcement on Thursday through his X (formerly Twitter) handle, describing the upcoming march to the Aso Rock Villa in Abuja as a “historic” call for justice. “We now have a date for the historic #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest march to the Aso Rock Villa in Abuja. It is October 20 at 7 a.m.,” he wrote.
The activist revealed that he had reached out to several prominent political figures, including Anambra State Governor Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, Abia State Governor Dr. Alex Otti, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, and Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi, urging them to join the march.
According to him, attempts to directly contact some of the leaders were unsuccessful. “I tried reaching out personally to Dr. Alex Otti, Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo, and Mr. Peter Obi through his team. Otti and Soludo didn’t take my calls or respond to my messages. Peter Obi’s team promised to brief him about our plans, although he is currently travelling,” Sowore explained.
He added that he also contacted former Vice President Atiku Abubakar through his aides, while Senator Abaribe pledged to return his call. Sowore noted that he had spoken with Obinna Agwuocha, a member of the House of Representatives, describing him as “receptive and encouraging.”
The AAC leader further disclosed that some members of the Abia State House of Assembly had informed him of their planned trip to London but assured him they would return to take further steps, beginning with a visit to the Attorney General of the Federation to formally lodge a complaint.
“They didn’t anticipate a street protest with placards. I told them that’s fine. What matters is that we all agree on a common date for action,” he said.
Sowore called on political and regional leaders to put aside partisan divisions and unite in demanding Nnamdi Kanu’s freedom. He insisted that this was a defining moment that required courage and collective resolve. “This is not the time for hesitation. If we truly believe that Mazi Nnamdi Kanu deserves his freedom, then every leader of conscience must act now, not later,” he declared.
