…Sowore, who has long been a vocal critic of government repression, said the upcoming protest is not merely about Kanu’s freedom but about
ABUJA, NIGERIA – The iNews Times | Prominent human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has announced October 20, 2025, as the official date for a nationwide protest march to the Presidential Villa in Abuja. The demonstration, according to him, is aimed at demanding the immediate and unconditional release of Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
Sowore made the declaration through a post on his official X (formerly Twitter) handle on Friday, calling on Nigerians across all regions to rise with one voice and demand justice for Kanu, whose continued detention has sparked widespread controversy both within and outside the country.
In his post, Sowore stated:
“October 20, 2025! This is the day Nigerians rise with one voice to demand justice and freedom. If you can’t attend, send someone who can. We march to the Aso Rock Villa for #FreeNnamdiKanuNow.”
The announcement comes amid renewed public outcry over the Federal Government’s refusal to release Kanu despite several court rulings ordering his discharge and acquittal. Kanu, who was initially arrested in 2015 on charges bordering on treasonable felony, was later granted bail but fled the country after a military raid on his residence in Abia State in 2017.
He was rearrested in Kenya in 2021 and forcibly repatriated to Nigeria, a move that drew sharp criticism from international human rights organizations and legal experts, who described it as an “extraordinary rendition” in violation of international law. Since then, Kanu has remained in the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS), where his supporters and family have repeatedly raised alarms over his deteriorating health condition.
Despite a Court of Appeal judgment in 2022 which discharged and acquitted Kanu of all charges, the Federal Government has continued to hold him, citing “national security concerns.” This defiance of judicial orders has drawn condemnation from civil rights groups, political figures, and international observers, who accuse the government of undermining the rule of law.
Sowore, who has long been a vocal critic of government repression, said the upcoming protest is not merely about Kanu’s freedom but about defending democracy and human rights in Nigeria. He emphasized that the prolonged detention of the IPOB leader, despite multiple court rulings, is “a dangerous precedent that threatens the independence of the judiciary and the rights of every Nigerian citizen.”
“When the state chooses which court orders to obey, no one is safe. The law must apply equally to all, whether it is Nnamdi Kanu, Omoyele Sowore, or any other citizen. This march is a call for justice, accountability, and the rule of law,” he reportedly said in a follow-up statement shared with journalists.
The activist, who himself has faced multiple arrests and detentions under previous administrations for organizing protests and speaking against corruption, vowed that the October 20 protest will be peaceful but resolute. He urged Nigerians across states, ethnicities, and religions to join in solidarity, describing the struggle as “a collective fight for freedom.”
Civil society groups, student unions, and pro-democracy activists have begun to express support for Sowore’s call, with hashtags such as #FreeNnamdiKanuNow and #JusticeForAll gaining traction on social media platforms.
Political analysts believe the planned protest could reignite national debates around governance, human rights, and the independence of the judiciary, especially as Nigeria continues to face economic hardship and political unrest.
As the protest date draws closer, all eyes are now on the government’s response. Whether it will engage in dialogue or attempt to suppress the movement remains to be seen. But for Sowore and many of his supporters, October 20, 2025, is more than just a date,it is a symbolic day of resistance, unity, and demand for justice in the face of what they describe as an increasingly authoritarian system.
