Former Vice President of Nigeria, Atiku Abubakar, has joined voices demanding the release of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, describing his prolonged detention as a serious blemish on the country’s reputation for upholding the rule of law.
In a post shared on his official X (formerly Twitter) handle on Thursday, Atiku expressed full support for the campaign initiated by human rights activist and 2023 African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, calling for Kanu’s immediate release.
According to Atiku, the Federal Government’s continuous defiance of court orders granting Kanu bail is a direct attack on justice and an abuse of power.
He wrote, “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.”
Okay News reports that Atiku’s public endorsement of the campaign has reignited national discourse on the need for adherence to judicial rulings and the importance of protecting the fundamental rights of all citizens. Many Nigerians have continued to question the government’s unwillingness to comply with court judgments related to Kanu’s case.
Omoyele Sowore, who initiated the campaign, had earlier urged governors, lawmakers, traditional rulers, and religious leaders from the South-East region to join forces in pressing for Kanu’s release. He revealed that he contacted prominent Igbo figures, including Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo; Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti; Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe; and Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 general election, Peter Obi.
Sowore explained that he also reached out to Atiku through his team and that the support of the former vice president would add significant weight to the campaign.
He stated, “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.”
Sowore further emphasized that the time for delay was over, insisting that every “leader of conscience” must take a stand. “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 added.
Nnamdi Kanu, who has been in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) since his controversial re-arrest in Kenya in 2021, continues to face charges of terrorism, treasonable felony, and incitement at the Federal High Court in Abuja — allegations he has consistently denied.
Despite several court rulings, including an October 2022 judgment by the Court of Appeal ordering his release on the grounds that his extradition violated international laws, the Federal Government has yet to comply.
Atiku’s intervention has sparked renewed debate on Nigeria’s commitment to justice and human rights, especially as activists, legal experts, and concerned citizens continue to pressure the government to obey court orders and end what they describe as a “politically motivated detention.”
