Sowore Reaches Out To House Of Reps Speaker Abbas, Deputy Kalu To Push For Nnamdi Kanu’s Release

Human rights activist Omoyele Sowore has disclosed that he contacted the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, and his deputy, Benjamin Kalu, regarding the continued detention of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), ahead of the planned #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest set for October 20.

Sowore disclosed this in a post shared on his X (formerly Twitter) handle on Sunday.

He noted that the engagement was part of broader efforts to secure Kanu’s release through both political and public pressure.

According to the activist, he reached out separately to both presiding officers of the House to urge them to take a formal position by convening an emergency plenary session to pass a resolution demanding that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu order Kanu’s immediate release.

“The Speaker stated that because the matter is still in court, he would not officially table it before the House,” Sowore wrote.

“However, he assured me that he would meet privately with some members, especially Obi Aguocha, who represents Nnamdi Kanu’s constituency, to explore a political resolution. He also mentioned that he had previously made underground interventions with the DSS (Department of State Services) on the matter.”

Sowore also disclosed that Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu confirmed that discussions were ongoing between the presidency and select lawmakers regarding Kanu’s release, but admitted that “the judicial process has been frustratingly slow.”

“I took this to mean that a majority of them are using the court trial as an alibi,” Sowore added.

In his post, Sowore equally revealed that members of the Abia State House of Assembly have not yet confirmed whether they will participate in the protest.

Igbo women under the umbrella of the Igbo Women Assembly (IWA) had also announced their full backing for the planned October 20 nationwide protest at Aso Rock Villa.

Sowore, who is leading the advocacy for the protest, stated the demonstration is to demand the immediate release of Kanu.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the National President of IWA, Lolo Nneka Chimezie, declared the group’s “full and total support” for the movement, describing the action as “a step in the right direction for justice and national conscience.”

Chimezie said the pan-Igbo women’s body had resolved to mobilize women from all parts of Igboland and other regions to participate in the protest, stressing that Kanu’s continued detention represents “a stain on Nigeria’s justice system and a wound on the conscience of the nation.”

IWA described Kanu as “a freedom fighter and justice advocate who is being persecuted for speaking out against the oppression of his people and exposing the hidden agenda of the oppressors.”