Sowore Set to Lead #FreeNnamdiKanuNow Protest on October 20 in Abuja

Human rights activist and former African Action Congress presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has announced October 20 as the date for a protest march in Abuja to demand the release of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra.

Sowore disclosed this in a post on his X handle on Thursday, describing the planned demonstration as a “historic” and peaceful march to the Aso Rock Villa to press for Kanu’s freedom.

“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.,” Sowore wrote.

On Wednesday, he had called on South-East governors, lawmakers, traditional rulers, and religious leaders to actively participate in the protest, urging them to go beyond verbal support.

“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,” he stated.

Sowore noted that he had personally reached out to several prominent figures, including Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo; Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti; Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe; and Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, to rally support for the protest.

Nnamdi Kanu, who has remained in the custody of the Department of State Services since his extradition from Kenya in 2021, has repeatedly denied all charges against him.

In October 2022, the Court of Appeal discharged and acquitted him, ruling that his extradition violated international law. However, the Federal Government has yet to comply with the ruling.