Sowore Meets Jonathan Over Nnamdi Kanu’s Release
Omoyele Sowore, Human rights activist and former presidential candidate, met with former President Goodluck Jonathan on Friday to discuss the ongoing detention of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader Nnamdi Kanu and to seek Jonathan’s support in the push for his release.
Speaking after the meeting, Sowore stated that while Jonathan would not be issuing any public statements or open positions on the matter, he acknowledged the importance of resolving the issue in a way that promotes national healing and reconciliation.
Sowore also revealed that Jonathan promised to meet with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to discuss potential solutions.
“He said he will not be issuing any open positions but acknowledges the need to end the chapter and encourage a solution that promotes healing. He promised to meet Tinubu about it,” he said.
Also, in a Facebook post on Friday, Sowore wrote, “Earlier today in Abuja, I met with former President Goodluck Jonathan to discuss the continued incarceration of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
“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. Particularly assuring was that he promised to meet Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu to discuss this issue as soon as possible.
“With this, former President Jonathan joins a growing list of Nigerians who have called for justice in Nnamdi Kanu’s case, a list that already includes ex Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Femi Falana SAN, Senator Shehu Sani, and many others across political and regional divides.
“Mazi Nnamdi Kanu remains in detention today because he took up the just cause of confronting the long-standing issue of marginalization in Nigeria. Like other ethnic and regional activists whose politically motivated cases have been withdrawn or dismissed, Nnamdi Kanu should also be released without further delay.
“I once again call on all political, cultural, ethnic, and religious leaders across Nigeria to join this noble cause. In particular, I invite my brothers and sisters from the South East Mr. Peter Obi, Charles Chukwuma Soludo, ALEX C OTTI, Francis Nwifuru, Peter Mbah, Hope Uzodinma, Obiageli Ezekwesili, John Mbata of Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide as well as Nigerians of conscience everywhere, to lend their voices to the call for justice and freedom.”
“Nnamdi Kanu should be set free. And I remain firmly committed to peacefully mobilizing for justice and freedom in this matter,” he added.
The meeting comes amid growing calls from Sowore, civil society, political figures, and human rights organisations for Kanu’s unconditional release, following multiple court rulings ordering his freedom.
Sowore has been leading advocacy efforts for Kanu’s release, including the planned #FreeNnamdiKanu peaceful march to the Presidential Villa in Abuja on October 20.
