A fresh controversy has erupted in the South East as prominent Igbo leaders and intellectuals distance themselves from a planned protest by rights activist Omoyele Sowore calling for the release of the detained Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
The activist, who announced a “Freedom March on Aso Rock Villa” scheduled for October 20, has urged Nigerians to join what he described as a “non-negotiable demand for justice.” Sowore wrote on X (formerly Twitter), “Freedom is not a favour to be granted by oppressors; it is a right that cannot be negotiated. They are playing politics with @nnamdikanu’s freedom, but justice MUST prevail.”
While Kanu’s loyalists have applauded the move as an act of solidarity, many Igbo stakeholders have voiced caution, describing the protest as ill-timed and politically motivated.
Political elites and scholars across the region argue that Sowore’s sudden advocacy for Kanu’s release appears more strategic than sincere. A senior political analyst told Observer Times that “many Igbo view this as less of a human rights struggle and more of a political manoeuvre ahead of 2027.”
The concern stems from Sowore’s growing alignment with high-profile figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who recently declared support for the campaign. Atiku wrote, “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. I, therefore, lend my voice in full support of the campaign led by @YeleSowore for his immediate release or due prosecution.”
Sowore also disclosed that former President Goodluck Jonathan had agreed to meet President Bola Tinubu over the matter, saying, “President Jonathan agreed that there is an urgent and compelling need to address this matter decisively and justly.”
However, several South East leaders remain unconvinced. They fear the protest could reopen old wounds, especially given the violence that followed Kanu’s past broadcasts and the operations of the now-dismantled Eastern Security Network (ESN).
“We lived through the chaos,” said a retired lecturer in Enugu. “Many communities are still recovering from the violence, and people remember how markets were burnt and leaders attacked after being branded saboteurs.”
The lecturer cautioned that Kanu’s release without accountability could “rekindle radical sentiments among armed loyalists who still roam freely.”
Since his arrest in June 2021, Kanu has been held by the Department of State Services (DSS) on charges of treasonable felony. Despite several court orders granting him bail, the Federal Government has refused his release, citing national security concerns.
Lawmakers such as Hon. Obinna Aguocha of Abia State have continued to push for a humanitarian resolution, warning that Kanu’s health has deteriorated significantly. “The issue should not be subjected to political considerations; it is a humanitarian and constitutional imperative,” he said in a letter to the President.
While some, including Sowore, frame Kanu’s detention as a human rights issue, others believe it is a potential trigger for renewed instability.
Ezeagu Ebuka, an Enugu-based lawyer, described the development as “a calculated move to test political waters in the South East.” He said, “The heart of this agitation is not justice; it is 2027 politics. It’s a subtle attempt to weaken Peter Obi’s support base and stir emotional divisions within the region.”
Meanwhile, Abia State Governor Dr Alex Otti has urged restraint, confirming that the South East Governors’ Forum is quietly engaging with the Federal Government. “We are deeply involved,” Otti said. “The discussions are sensitive, but I am optimistic they will soon produce positive results.”
Within Aso Rock, sources suggest that the Tinubu administration may be weighing the political and security implications of Kanu’s possible release. “The President is aware of the tensions,” said a policy analyst in Abuja. “Releasing Kanu could build goodwill in the South East, but it could also revive agitation if not properly managed.”
As tensions simmer ahead of Sowore’s proposed October 20 march, observers warn that the situation demands caution, not confrontation.
“The problem with Kanu is not just his detention,” said another analyst. “It’s what his release represents — to some, healing; to others, the reopening of deep wounds that have yet to heal.”
