Human rights activist and former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, has declared October 20, 2025, as the date for a major protest in Abuja to demand the release of Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
Sowore made the announcement on his X (formerly Twitter) account on Thursday, describing the demonstration as a “historic march” to the Aso Rock Presidential Villa. According to him, the event would be peaceful, lawful, and aimed solely at securing the freedom of the pro-Biafra leader.
In his post, Sowore wrote, “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.”
Okay News reports that the activist has long been an outspoken critic of unlawful detentions and human rights abuses in Nigeria, with his latest campaign focusing on what he called “the persistent disregard for court rulings ordering Kanu’s release.”
Calls for South-East Leaders to Join the Protest
On Wednesday, Sowore called on governors, senators, traditional rulers, and religious leaders from the South-East region to take an active role in the march.
He said: “No more empty noise. Let @CCSoludo, @SenatorAbaribe, @alexottiofr, @PeterObi, and all others who claim to care step up and join us in person. Every governor, senator, member of the House, traditional ruler, priest, eze, Igbo person, and every Nigerian who believes in Kanu’s freedom should come out and do more than talk.”
The activist emphasized that he had reached out to several prominent figures including Anambra State Governor, Professor Chukwuma Soludo, Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, and Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, urging them to stand in solidarity with the movement.
Efforts to Rally Support
Sowore explained that despite his efforts to directly contact some leaders, not all responded.
“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 @AtikuAbubakar 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,” he wrote.
Sowore noted that some members of the Abia State House of Assembly had informed him about their plans to travel to London before returning to Abuja for further engagement with the Attorney General of the Federation, adding that they preferred formal channels to register their grievances.
He, however, stressed that the critical issue was for all parties to 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 concluded.
Background: Kanu’s Detention and Legal Battles
Nnamdi Kanu has been held by the Department of State Services (DSS) since 2021 following his controversial extradition from Kenya.
Although several courts have ruled in favor of his release, the Federal Government of Nigeria has repeatedly failed to comply, sparking national and international criticism.
The IPOB leader faces multiple charges, including terrorism, treasonable felony, and incitement, all of which he has denied.
In October 2022, the Court of Appeal discharged and acquitted Kanu, stating that his extradition breached international laws, but he remains in custody.
Public Reaction and Rights Concerns
Civil society groups, lawyers, and political analysts have continued to express concern about the government’s refusal to obey court orders. Many argue that Kanu’s prolonged detention could worsen the already fragile trust between the government and citizens, particularly in the South-East region.
Sowore’s call for mass participation in the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest is seen as a renewed attempt to mobilize nationwide attention to the case, which has remained one of Nigeria’s most polarizing legal and political issues.
