By Ade Iyamoye
Calls for the release of detained Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, have intensified as human rights activist Omoyele Sowore and founder of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), Chief Ralph Uwazurike, declared readiness to lead peaceful demonstrations to the Aso Rock Villa, Abuja.
Sowore, in a post on his verified social media accounts on Wednesday, challenged prominent South-East political, traditional, and religious leaders to join him in demanding Kanu’s freedom.
He urged Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo, Abia State Governor Alex Otti, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, and Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi to move beyond “empty rhetoric” and participate physically in the march.
“I will set aside my differences with some politicians for one cause,” Sowore said. “Let every politician or person of conscience who wants Kanu released stop the talk, time for action is now. Let’s march to Aso Rock Villa peacefully and lawfully.”
Responding to his call, Kanu’s Special Counsel, Barrister Aloy Ejimakor, pledged to join the march, declaring on X (formerly Twitter): “Dear Sowore, I hereby step forward to march with you to peacefully and visibly demand justice for Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. Ndigbo ahoy!”
Similarly, Chief Ralph Uwazurike, in a video statement, vowed to participate in any peaceful protest anywhere in Nigeria for Kanu’s release, describing his continued detention as “a political injustice against the Igbo nation.”
Uwazurike, who once mentored Kanu as MASSOB’s Director of Media, said he had contacted Ejimakor to serve as one of Kanu’s defence witnesses, insisting the protest would be peaceful and non-political.
“This is not just about Nnamdi Kanu; this is about Ndigbo,” he said. “If anyone thinks Kanu is being humiliated today, it is Ndigbo that are being humiliated. The government must stop applying double standards in handling terrorism-related cases.”
Kanu has been in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS), since June 2021 following his arrest and controversial rendition from Kenya. He faces multiple charges, including terrorism, treasonable felony, and incitement, which he has consistently denied.
Both Sowore and Uwazurike emphasized that the planned march would remain peaceful, legal, and focused on justice, with the unifying call: #FreeNnamdiKanuNow.
