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Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has called for the unconditional release of Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, stating that his prolonged incarceration is a “stain on Nigeria’s belief in the rule of law”.
Atiku made his stance known through a message posted on his X account on Thursday, in which he offered full backing for the campaign initiated by human rights advocate and 2023 African Action Congress presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, demanding Kanu’s release.
He stated, “The continued detention of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu remains an open sore on our nation’s conscience and a stain on our belief in the rule of law. Defying court orders that granted him bail is an abuse of power and an assault on justice.
“I, therefore, lend my voice in full support of the campaign led by @YeleSowore for his immediate release or due prosecution. We fail as patriots if we allow Kanu’s case to fester as yet another wound this nation refuses to heal.”
Sowore, on Wednesday, had urged governors, lawmakers, traditional rulers, and religious leaders from the South-East to join the proposed protest demanding Kanu’s release.
He revealed that he had contacted several influential Igbo figures, including the Governor of Anambra State, Professor Chukwuma Soludo; the Governor of Abia State, Dr Alex Otti; Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe; and the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, encouraging them to join the movement.
The activist further explained that he had attempted to reach Atiku through members of his team, noting that the support of the former vice president would significantly strengthen the campaign.
He wrote, “I have tried reaching out personally to Dr. @alexottiofr, Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo @CCSoludo, and Mr @PeterObi (through his team) today. Alex Otti and Soludo neither took my calls nor responded to my messages. They promised to tell Mr. @PeterObi about our plans, although he is currently travelling.
“I also reached out to Alhaji @Atiku through his team, while Senator @SenatorAbaribe said he would return my call. I spoke with Obinna Agwuocha of the House of Representatives. He was receptive and encouraging.
“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.
“This is not the time for hesitation. If we genuinely believe that @MaziNnamdiKanu deserves freedom, then every leader of conscience must act, now, not later,” he wrote.
Kanu has remained in the custody of the Department of State Services since he was re-arrested in 2021 after being extradited from Kenya under controversial circumstances.
Despite several court decisions ordering his release, including a ruling by the Court of Appeal in October 2022 that discharged and acquitted him of all charges on the basis that his extradition contravened international law, the Federal Government has not complied.
Kanu currently faces charges at the Federal High Court in Abuja, including terrorism, treasonable felony, and incitement, all of which he has consistently denied.
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