Prominent political figures, including former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, are set to lead a mass protest to the Aso Rock Presidential Villa on October 20, demanding the immediate release of detained separatist IPOB headpin Nnamdi Kanu.

Among backers of the protest are activist Omoyele Sowore and former Senate minority leader Enyinnaya Abaribe.

Mr Sowore announced the planned protest on Wednesday, stating that he had set aside political differences to unite with figures across party lines, especially those from the South-East, in a campaign tagged #FreeNnamdiKanuNow.

He called on former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, Governor Alex Otti, Governor Charles Soludo, and other Igbo politicians to join the protest, describing Mr Kanu’s continued incarceration as “a gross injustice and a violation of Nigeria’s rule of law”.

On Thursday, Mr Atiku confirmed his participation in the protest.

“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. Defying court orders that granted him bail is an abuse of power and an assault on justice,” Mr Abubakar said in a post on X. “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.”

Mr Sowore disclosed on Wednesday night that Mr Abaribe, who had previously stood surety for the embattled IPOB leader, had agreed to join the protest. Abia lawmakers, he added, expressed support for the cause but said they preferred a “non-placard” approach.

The protest, tagged #FreeNnamdiKanuNow, is scheduled to begin at 7:00 a.m. on October 20 in Abuja.

Mr Kanu has been in detention since June 2021, following his abduction from Kenya to Nigeria.

Despite multiple court rulings, including an October 2022 decision by the Court of Appeal ordering his release, the Nigerian government has refused to comply, citing “national security concerns”.

The IPOB head is facing terrorism-related charges at the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court, though proceedings have stalled repeatedly amid concerns over jurisdiction and due process.