Human rights activist and former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, has declared October 20 as the date for a peaceful protest march to the Aso Rock Villa in Abuja, demanding the release of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
Providing an update on Thursday morning, Sowore announced, “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.”
Earlier on Tuesday, Sowore had called on political leaders and stakeholders from Nigeria’s South-East region to join him in the march, emphasizing that it was time to move beyond words and take concrete action to secure Kanu’s freedom.
In a post on his X (formerly Twitter) account, he expressed his willingness to put aside political differences for the sake of justice, writing, “I will set aside my differences with some politicians for one cause. I challenge every politician or person of good conscience from the Southeast who says they want Nnamdi Kanu released to stop the rhetoric. Time for action is NOW. Let’s march to the Aso Rock Villa.”
Sowore urged prominent South-East figures, including governors, lawmakers, traditional rulers, and religious leaders, to back their verbal calls for Kanu’s release with visible action. He specifically mentioned Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo, Abia State Governor Alex Otti, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, and former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, challenging them to participate in the march.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has joined calls for the release of Nnamdi Kanu. Reacting on Thursday via his social media handles, he urged President Bola Tinubu’s administration to obey court orders and release the IPOB leader.