Sowore Meets Former President Jonathan in Abuja to Push for Nnamdi Kanu's Release

 Sowore Meets Former President Jonathan in Abuja to Push for Nnamdi Kanu's Release In a significant development amid escalating calls fo...

 Sowore Meets Former President Jonathan in Abuja to Push for Nnamdi Kanu's Release

In a significant development amid escalating calls for justice, prominent Nigerian activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore met with former President Goodluck Jonathan in Abuja on Friday to advocate for the unconditional release of Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). The meeting, which Sowore described as productive, has added fresh momentum to a nationwide campaign demanding an end to Kanu's prolonged detention, framing it as a critical step toward national reconciliation and equity.

Sowore, who recently has been at the forefront of the #FreeNnamdiKanu movement, shared details of the encounter on social media, emphasizing Jonathan's acknowledgment of the issue's urgency. "Earlier today in Abuja, I met with former President Goodluck Jonathan to discuss the continued incarceration of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu," Sowore wrote in a Facebook post. "President Jonathan agreed that there is an urgent and compelling need to address this matter decisively and justly. I thank him sincerely for recognizing the importance of resolving Kanu’s case in the interest of peace, fairness, and national healing."

According to Sowore, Jonathan pledged to engage directly with President Bola Tinubu on the matter at the earliest opportunity, a promise that Sowore hailed as particularly reassuring. This commitment positions Jonathan alongside a coalition of influential voices, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, human rights lawyer Femi Falana SAN, and Senator Shehu Sani, who have all publicly urged Kanu's release. The diverse endorsements underscore the campaign's cross-partisan appeal, transcending ethnic and political boundaries in Nigeria's polarized landscape.

Kanu, a British-Nigerian activist, has been held by the Department of State Services (DSS) since his extraordinary rendition from Kenya in 2021. Charged with treasonable felony and terrorism-related offenses, his case has drawn international scrutiny, with multiple court rulings including a 2022 decision by the Court of Appeal ordering his release. Supporters, including Sowore, argue that Kanu's activism stems from legitimate grievances over the marginalization of the Igbo ethnic group in southeastern Nigeria, likening his situation to that of other regional activists whose politically motivated charges have been dropped.

"Mazi Nnamdi Kanu remains in detention today because he took up the just cause of confronting the long-standing issue of marginalization in Nigeria," Sowore stated. "Like other ethnic and regional activists whose politically motivated cases have been withdrawn or dismissed, Nnamdi Kanu should also be released without further delay." In a recent television appearance on News Central's Breakfast Central, Sowore went further, characterizing Kanu's trial as "persecution, not prosecution," and vowed to set aside personal political differences with figures like Jonathan and Atiku to advance the cause.

The meeting occurs against the backdrop of Sowore's announcement earlier this week for a major peaceful protest march to the Aso Rock Presidential Villa on October 20. Dubbed #FreeNnamdiKanuNow, the demonstration aims to amplify demands for due process and human rights adherence in Kanu's case. Sowore has extended invitations to a broad spectrum of leaders, particularly from the Southeast, including Labour Party's Peter Obi, Anambra Governor Chukwuma Soludo, Abia Governor Alex Otti, Ebonyi Governor Francis Nwifuru, Enugu Governor Peter Mbah, Imo Governor Hope Uzodimma, former minister Obiageli Ezekwesili, and John Mbata of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide.

"I once again call on all political, cultural, ethnic, and religious leaders across Nigeria to join this noble cause," Sowore urged. "Nnamdi Kanu should be set free. And I remain firmly committed to peacefully mobilizing for justice and freedom in this matter." 

The campaign has gained traction amid broader criticisms of Nigeria's handling of self-determination agitations and ethnic tensions. Atiku, in a statement released just a day before the meeting, decried Kanu's detention as "an open sore on our nation’s conscience," reinforcing the need for swift resolution to uphold the rule of law. Human rights organizations and civil society groups have echoed these sentiments, pointing to Kanu's deteriorating health and the DSS's alleged non-compliance with court orders as exacerbating factors.

As Nigeria grapples with economic challenges and regional disparities, Sowore's initiative represents a pivotal effort to bridge divides through dialogue and action. Whether Jonathan's intervention with Tinubu yields results remains to be seen, but the growing chorus of advocates signals a potential turning point in the quest for Kanu's freedom and, by extension, a more inclusive national healing process. With the October 20 protest looming, eyes are now on how the federal government responds to this unified push for justice. 

Family Writers Press International.