Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has joined the growing number of voices demanding the immediate release of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. Atiku’s intervention adds significant political weight to the ongoing calls for justice, human rights, and the rule of law in Nigeria.
Mazi Nnamdi Kanu has been in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) since 2021, following his controversial arrest and extradition from Kenya during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari. Despite several court rulings ordering his release, the separatist leader has remained detained without trial, sparking national and international concern over due process and human rights violations.
Sowore challenges South-East leaders to act
Atiku’s comments came shortly after Omoyele Sowore, the 2023 presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), called on influential leaders from the South-East to take concrete action rather than issue verbal condemnations. Sowore specifically urged former Anambra State Governor and Labour Party leader Peter Obi, Anambra State Governor Charles Soludo, Abia State Governor Alex Otti, and Atiku himself to lead a peaceful protest march to the Presidential Villa to demand Kanu’s release.
In an Instagram post, Sowore accused regional politicians of being “too passive” in addressing Kanu’s continued detention. He described their past statements as “empty noise” and challenged them to prove their commitment to justice and equity by standing up for the oppressed. His statement quickly went viral, reigniting debates about leadership accountability in the South-East and beyond.
Atiku calls detention an ‘abuse of power’
Responding on Thursday through his verified social media accounts, Atiku Abubakar called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Federal Government to obey the numerous court rulings that ordered Nnamdi Kanu’s release. The former Vice President described Kanu’s prolonged detention as a blatant disregard for Nigeria’s judiciary and a dangerous precedent for the rule of law.
“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 wrote. He further emphasized that a nation cannot claim to be democratic while selectively obeying court orders. “Defying court rulings that granted him bail is an abuse of power and an assault on justice,” he added.
Atiku also declared his full support for Sowore’s peaceful campaign, stressing that the time has come for Nigeria’s leaders to correct injustices that have divided the country for too long. “I, therefore, lend my voice in full support of the campaign led by Yele Sowore for his immediate release or due prosecution,” he stated. “We fail as patriots if we allow Kanu’s case to fester as yet another wound this nation refuses to heal.”
Calls for justice grow louder
Atiku’s strong remarks have further amplified calls for justice and respect for human rights across the nation. Many Nigerians and civil society groups have hailed his statement as a courageous step that may pressure the Federal Government to resolve the issue in accordance with the law. Analysts also note that Atiku’s intervention reflects a broader concern among political leaders about the erosion of trust in Nigeria’s justice system.
Meanwhile, several human rights organizations, including Amnesty International and the Civil Liberties Organization (CLO), have renewed their demands for Kanu’s release. They argue that his prolonged detention without a fair trial not only violates his rights but also undermines Nigeria’s democratic image internationally.
With both Atiku and Sowore now publicly united in their calls for justice, pressure continues to mount on the Tinubu administration to act decisively. As public outcry grows, Nigerians are watching closely to see whether the government will prioritize the rule of law and heed the court’s directives regarding Nnamdi Kanu’s fate.