Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has thrown his weight behind Omoyele Sowore’s call for the unconditional release of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), saying that justice and due process demand it.
In a statement issued on Tuesday October 7th, Atiku said that while Kanu’s legal status is contested, no citizen should be denied basic human rights — including access to medical care, fair trial, and freedom from unlawful detention. He added that backing peaceful calls for justice does not equate to supporting secession, but rather reflects commitment to constitutional democracy.
Sowore had recently called for a nationwide protest on October 20, 2025, tagged FreeNnamdiKanuNow, urging governors, civil society leaders, and public figures to join the movement. Atiku’s endorsement is seen as giving the campaign increased political legitimacy and widening its reach beyond its base.
The statement has reignited debates on Kanu’s detention conditions and Nigeria’s broader challenges with political detainees. Human rights groups applauded Atiku’s stance, while critics warned it could inflame tensions.
