Okay News reports that human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has mobilised Nigerians across the country to participate in a peaceful demonstration calling for the immediate release of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
Sowore made the call in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Monday morning, urging citizens to express solidarity despite a court restriction on protests in certain parts of Abuja.
“Good morning, wherever you may be this morning, do not stop moving. Carry a sign, sing a song, make a statement!” he wrote.
The activist had earlier posted a message on Sunday evening welcoming participants to the movement tagged #FreeNnamdiKanuNow, praising their resilience and unity.
“We warmly welcome everyone who has travelled from far and wide to join the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest tomorrow. Your courage, sacrifice, and solidarity speak volumes. Together, we are writing history,” he stated.
Sowore said demonstrators would gather at Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja, by 7 a.m., urging participants to “come ready, come peaceful, come determined.” He also posted on Facebook that the target was to have one million people on the streets of the capital.
“We want to put one million people on the streets of Abuja tomorrow for #FreeNnamdiKanuNow — let’s make it happen,” he declared.
However, the planned protest faces legal resistance. Justice Mohammed Umar of the Federal High Court, Abuja, had earlier issued an interim injunction restraining Sowore and his supporters from staging protests near sensitive government facilities such as the Presidential Villa, National Assembly Complex, Court of Appeal, Force Headquarters, Eagle Square, and Shehu Shagari Way.
Reacting to the injunction, Sowore questioned its fairness and accused authorities of applying the law selectively.
“Suppose a court order truly exists restricting protests around Aso Rock Villa; it begs the question: why hasn’t the same police force obtained a similar order against those protesting freely for three consecutive days opposing Nnamdi Kanu’s release?” he asked.
“The hypocrisy is glaring. The double standards are undeniable,” he added.
Sowore also said his legal team of 115 lawyers would challenge the court order as soon as it was formally served. Despite the injunction, he reaffirmed that the October 20 #FreeNnamdiKanuNow march would go ahead peacefully.
“October 20 #FreeNnamdiKanuNow remains sacrosanct. We march peacefully, lawfully, and powerfully,” he said.
The planned demonstration coincides with the fifth anniversary of the #EndSARS protests of October 2020 — a movement that highlighted police brutality and the call for justice across Nigeria.
