Atiku, Senator Abaribe, To Joins Sowore’s Call for Historic #FreeNnamdiKanuNow Protest March

Abuja, Nigeria – October 9, 2025

A new wave of political awakening may be sweeping through Nigeria as former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has thrown his weight behind Omoyele Sowore’s call for a historic protest march to Aso Rock Villa on October 20, demanding the immediate release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

The movement began yesterday when human rights activist Omoyele Sowore challenged political, religious, and traditional leaders to stop issuing statements and instead take decisive action.

“Stop the communiqués. Stop the pretense. Stop the rhetoric,” he wrote on social media. “If you truly want Nnamdi Kanu freed, do more than press releases and communiqués. Let’s all march to Aso Rock Villa in Abuja.”

Sowore’s bold challenge appeared to stir Nigeria’s political class into conversation. In his follow-up post, the former presidential candidate revealed attempts to personally contact Abia State Governor Alex Otti, Anambra State Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo, and former presidential candidate Peter Obi, among others.

While Otti and Soludo reportedly did not respond to his calls, Sowore noted that Obi’s team informed him that the Labour Party leader was traveling and would be notified of the planned action.

“I also reached out to Alhaji Atiku Abubakar through his team,” Sowore added, noting that Senator Enyi Abaribe had promised to return his call. According to Sowore, Obinna Aguocha, a member of the House of Representatives, “was receptive and encouraging,” while members of the Abia State House of Assembly expressed their existing plans to visit the Attorney General of the Federation before joining in.

An hour later, Sowore confirmed that he had spoken directly with Senator Abaribe, who declared his full support. “He says he’s fully on board with us,” Sowore posted. “According to him, the Southeast caucus in the Senate and House have already met with the AGF and NSA, but there’s been no result. The time to act is NOW.”

The fiery activist later announced the official date for the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest, October 20 at 7 AM in Abuja, setting the stage for what could become one of the most symbolic demonstrations of the year.

In a significant twist, Atiku Abubakar, a key figure in Nigeria’s political establishment, broke his silence on the matter, issuing a statement that has since gone viral.

“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,” Atiku declared. “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 Omoyele Sowore for his immediate release or due prosecution.”

Public reaction has been swift and charged. Supporters of the movement say the unity between Sowore and Atiku symbolizes a rare moment of political and moral convergence across Nigeria’s deeply divided landscape. Others argue that this moment could force the federal government to finally respond to years of domestic and international outcry over Kanu’s prolonged detention.

For now, all eyes are on October 20, when Nigerians from all walks of life are expected to converge on Abuja for the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow march, a movement that, according to Sowore, is “not about tribe or politics, but conscience.”