Atiku Abubakar Backs Sowore’s Campaign for Nnamdi Kanu’s Release
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has publicly called for the immediate release of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, describing his continued detention as a “stain on Nigeria’s belief in the rule of law.”
Atiku made this statement on Thursday through a post shared on his official X (formerly Twitter) handle, where he expressed full support for the campaign initiated by Omoyele Sowore, the human rights activist and 2023 presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC). Sowore had recently launched a renewed campaign demanding Kanu’s release from custody.
Atiku’s Statement
In his post, Atiku condemned the federal government’s refusal to comply with existing court orders granting Nnamdi Kanu bail. He described the continued detention as an “abuse of power and an assault on justice.”
He wrote:
“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. 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 @YeleSowore for his immediate release or due prosecution. We fail as patriots if we allow Kanu’s case to fester as yet another wound this nation refuses to heal.”
Background
Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of IPOB, has been in detention since his arrest and extradition to Nigeria in 2021. Several court rulings have ordered his release, but the government has failed to comply, citing national security concerns.
Human rights groups, international observers, and now prominent political figures like Atiku and Sowore have intensified calls for his freedom, insisting that the government must respect judicial processes and the rule of law.
A Growing Political and Legal Debate
Atiku’s statement marks one of the most high-profile endorsements of the campaign for Kanu’s release. It also signals a possible shift in Nigeria’s political climate, where key opposition leaders are uniting to challenge what they see as executive overreach and selective justice.
As Sowore continues to rally support through public advocacy, many observers believe that the mounting political pressure could influence renewed discussions on human rights, unity, and justice in Nigeria.
Note: The federal government has not yet issued an official response to Atiku’s latest statement.
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