Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has urged President Bola Tinubu to release IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu, describing his continued detention despite court orders as “an open sore on the nation’s conscience.” Speaking in support of activist Omoyele Sowore’s campaign, Atiku said defying court rulings is a clear abuse of power and a violation of justice.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has joined growing calls for the immediate release of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, who remains in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS)despite multiple court orders granting him bail.
Atiku made the statement in response to an appeal by rights activist Omoyele Sowore, who had challenged prominent South-East leaders — including Peter Obi, Charles Soludo, Alex Otti, and Atiku himself — to lead a peaceful march to the Presidential Villa in Abuja to demand Kanu’s release.
Speaking via a social media post monitored by Voice of the People (VOP) Television, Atiku urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to demonstrate respect for the rule of law by either releasing Kanu or ensuring his prosecution follows due process.
“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 stated.
“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 Yele Sowore for his immediate release or due prosecution.”
Atiku, who was the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate in the 2023 general elections, warned that continued disobedience to lawful court rulings erodes citizens’ trust in democratic institutions and threatens Nigeria’s unity.
“We fail as patriots if we allow Kanu’s case to fester as yet another wound this nation refuses to heal,” he added.
Kanu has been in DSS custody since June 2021 following his controversial extradition from Kenya to Nigeria to face charges of treasonable felony and terrorism.
Despite several court rulings — including one by the Court of Appeal — ordering his release, the IPOB leader remains detained, drawing criticism from human rights advocates, political leaders, and civil society groups.
Observers who spoke with VOP TV noted that Atiku’s statement could further intensify national and international pressure on the Tinubu administration to resolve Kanu’s prolonged detention and show greater commitment to constitutional governance.
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