Jonathan To Meet Tinubu Over Nnamdi Kanu’s Detention After Discussion With Sowore

Human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has revealed that former President Goodluck Jonathan has agreed to speak with President Bola Tinubu regarding the continued detention of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader, Nnamdi Kanu.

Sowore disclosed this on Friday via his X handle after meeting with Jonathan in Abuja. He said their discussion focused on the “urgent and compelling need” to resolve Kanu’s case fairly and decisively.

“Earlier today in Abuja, I met with former President Goodluck Jonathan to discuss the continued incarceration of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. 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 wrote.

He added that Jonathan assured him he would meet President Tinubu soon to discuss the issue, joining the growing list of prominent Nigerians calling for justice in Kanu’s case.

According to Sowore, others who have spoken up include former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, human rights lawyer Femi Falana (SAN), and former lawmaker Shehu Sani.

Reiterating his call for Kanu’s release, Sowore said the IPOB leader remains in detention “because he took up the just cause of confronting the long-standing issue of marginalisation in Nigeria.”

He also appealed to key political, cultural, and religious figures—including Peter Obi, Chukwuma Soludo, Alex Otti, Hope Uzodinma, Peter Mbah, Oby Ezekwesili, and Ohanaeze Ndigbo President-General John Mbata—to join the campaign for Kanu’s freedom.

Nnamdi Kanu has been in detention since 2021 after being re-arrested abroad and brought back to Nigeria to face charges of terrorism and treasonable felony, despite multiple court rulings ordering his release.