Omoyele Sowore, the 2023 presidential candidate for the African Action Congress (AAC), has publicly challenged key leaders from the South East, including former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, Anambra Governor Charles Soludo, and Abia Governor Alex Otti, to move beyond political statements and join a peaceful march to Aso Rock to demand the release of Nnamdi Kanu. Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), has been in detention since June 2021.
Sowore issued the direct challenge via a post shared on his Instagram account, urging South East politicians and influential figures to stop what he termed “empty noise” and instead commit to immediate action for Kanu’s freedom. He stated his willingness to temporarily set aside political differences for this cause, emphasizing that the time for rhetoric is over.
“I will set aside my differences with some politicians for one cause. I challenge every politician or person of good conscience from the Southeast who says they want @mazinnamdikanu released to stop the rhetoric,” Sowore wrote. “Time for action is NOW. Let’s march to the Aso Rock Villa.”
Sowore invited a broad spectrum of figures to join him, specifically naming governors, senators, members of the House, traditional rulers, priests, and every Igbo person and Nigerian who supports Kanu’s freedom. He explicitly challenged Governor Soludo, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, Governor Alex Otti, and Peter Obi to “step up and join us in person.”
He insisted that the protest would be a peaceful, legal, and highly visible march designed to demand justice and an end to what he described as Kanu’s persecution. The post concluded with a resolute call to action, “Jisie Ike! #FreeNnamdiKanuNow,” effectively throwing down the gauntlet to leaders in the region to demonstrate their commitment to the secessionist leader’s plight. The challenge places pressure on these figures, many of whom have publicly advocated for Kanu’s release through political or legal channels.
