Human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has revealed that former President Goodluck Jonathan has agreed to meet with President Bola Tinubu over the continued detention of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra.
Sowore disclosed this on Friday through a post on his X (formerly Twitter) account after a private meeting with the former president in Abuja.
According to him, their discussion focused on the “urgent and compelling need” to resolve Kanu’s prolonged incarceration “decisively and justly.”
“Earlier today in Abuja, I met with former President Goodluck Jonathan to discuss the continued incarceration of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu,” Sowore wrote.
“President Jonathan agreed that there is an urgent and compelling need to address this matter decisively and justly. I thank him sincerely for recognising the importance of resolving Kanu’s case in the interest of peace, fairness, and national healing.”
Sowore noted that Jonathan had promised to meet with President Tinubu “as soon as possible” to discuss the matter and advocate for a peaceful resolution.
“It was particularly assuring that he promised to meet with President Tinubu to discuss this issue in due course,” he added.
The activist also mentioned that Jonathan’s intervention adds his voice to a growing list of prominent Nigerians who have demanded justice in Kanu’s case, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN), and former Senator Shehu Sani.
“Jonathan’s position aligns with that of other notable Nigerians who believe Kanu’s case deserves a fair and lawful resolution,” Sowore said.
He reiterated his call for Kanu’s unconditional release, describing the IPOB leader as a man “detained for standing up against decades of marginalisation.”
Sowore further urged influential political, religious, and traditional leaders—including Peter Obi, Chukwuma Soludo, Alex Otti, Francis Nwifuru, Peter Mbah, Hope Uzodinma, Oby Ezekwesili, and Ohanaeze Ndigbo leader John Mbata—to lend their voices to the campaign for Kanu’s release.
Kanu has been in the custody of the Department of State Services since 2021, following his re-arrest and extradition to Nigeria to face charges of terrorism and treasonable felony.
Despite several court rulings ordering his release, the Federal Government has yet to comply with the decisions, a situation that continues to stir debate over justice and human rights in the country.
