What ex-President Jonathan told Sowore on free Nnamdi Kanu protest

By Ayorinde Oluokun/Abuja

Activist and publisher, Omoyele Sowore on Friday met for President Goodluck Jonathan over his planned 20th October protest for release of the leader of proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu.

Sowore, who has been mobilizing leaders and prominent personalities for the protest revealed his meeting with Jonathan in a statement he posted on his social media platforms.

However, he did not indicate that the former President gave his word on joining the protest for the release of Kanu.

Rather, Sowore said Jonathan agreed that he will discuss the issue of detention of the IPOB leader with President Bola Tinubu.

Writing on his social media platforms, the activist said, “Earlier today in Abuja, I met with former President @GEJonathan to discuss the continued incarceration of Mazi @NnamdiKanu.

“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 @officialabat to discuss this issue as soon as possible.”

He added that with his meeting with him, former President Jonathan has joined others Nigerians who have “called for justice in Nnamdi Kanu’s case.”

He listed other prominent Nigerians who have agreed on the need to secure freedom for Kanu to include for Vice President Atiku Abubakar, Lagos lawyer and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana SAN and activities and former senator, Shehu Sani.

“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“Like other ethnic and regional activists whose politically motivated cases have been withdrawn or dismissed, Nnamdi Kanu should also be released without further delay.

Sowere also appelaed to other political, cultural, ethnic, and religious leaders across Nigeria to join his campaign for release of Kanu.

In particular, he called on leaders from the South East, particularly, former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, the governors of the five states of the South East, and John Mbata, the president of Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide to join the move to free Kanu.

He also called on “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,” Sowore said.

The Federal Government is currently prosecuting Kanu, on allegations bordering on terrorism and treason.

However there have been calls for his release by various groups and individuals across the country, including Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide.

Dr Ezechi Chukwu, the National Publicity Secretary of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, in a recent statement in Enugu appealed to President Tinubu to deploy his constitutional powers and diplomatic instruments to release him in the spirit of equity, fairness and inclusive justice.