Former Vice President and 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has declared his support for the campaign led by rights activist Omoyele Sowore calling for the release of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.
Atiku, in a post shared on his official X handle on Thursday, said Kanu’s prolonged detention despite court orders granting him bail is a violation of justice and a dent on Nigeria’s image as a democratic nation governed by the rule of law.
“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,” Atiku wrote. “Defying court orders that granted him bail is an abuse of power and an assault on justice. I, therefore, lend my voice in full support of the campaign led by @YeleSowore for his immediate release or due prosecution. We fail as patriots if we allow Kanu’s case to fester as yet another wound this nation refuses to heal.”
The former vice president’s statement comes amid renewed calls from rights groups and political figures demanding adherence to judicial orders on Kanu’s case. His remarks have sparked diverse reactions across the country, with some Nigerians praising his stance and others warning against political interference in judicial matters.
A social media user, @Sirwambai, cautioned that “Kanu’s detention is justified on national security grounds. No one is above the law, and his case should be decided by the courts, not public pressure.” Another commentator, @isah_muaaz, said, “I never thought I’d see a day when national leaders would publicly side with someone whose actions once tore at our country’s fabric. Justice must be balanced with accountability, not traded for politics.”
The renewed debate over Kanu’s detention follows recent tensions in the National Assembly after Abia lawmaker Obinna Aguocha raised concerns about the IPOB leader’s health. Aguocha said he had written several letters to President Bola Tinubu, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the Attorney General of the Federation, appealing for medical attention for Kanu.
Meanwhile, the Federal High Court in Abuja has adjourned proceedings on the terrorism charges against Kanu. The court granted a request from the Department of State Services (DSS) counsel, who informed the court that the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) had yet to submit its medical report on the defendant’s health condition.
Kanu has been in DSS custody since his arrest and repatriation from Kenya in 2021. His trial has faced multiple adjournments, fuelling debates about human rights, national security, and judicial independence.
