Former President Goodluck Jonathan has indicated readiness to meet with President Bola Tinubu over the continued detention of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
This was disclosed by human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, who met with the former president in Abuja on Friday.
Sowore, in a post shared on his X (formerly Twitter) handle, said Jonathan acknowledged the urgency of addressing Kanu’s prolonged detention and agreed that the matter must be resolved “decisively and justly” in the overall interest of peace, fairness, and national healing.
“Earlier today in Abuja, I met with former President Goodluck Jonathan to discuss the continued incarceration of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu,” Sowore wrote. “President Jonathan agreed that there is an urgent and compelling need to address this matter decisively and justly. Particularly assuring was that he promised to meet President Bola Tinubu to discuss this issue as soon as possible.”
According to Sowore, Jonathan’s intervention marks a significant addition to the growing number of national figures calling for Kanu’s release. Those who have spoken out include former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, senior lawyer Femi Falana (SAN), and former Kaduna Central senator, Shehu Sani.
Sowore reiterated his call for Kanu’s unconditional release, insisting that his detention was politically motivated and unjust.
“Mazi Nnamdi Kanu remains in detention today because he took up the just cause of confronting the long-standing issue of marginalisation in Nigeria,” Sowore stated. “Like other ethnic and regional activists whose politically motivated cases have been withdrawn or dismissed, Nnamdi Kanu should also be released without further delay.”
He also urged leaders across Nigeria — particularly those from the South East — to rally behind the call for justice, mentioning names such as Peter Obi, Charles Soludo, Alex Otti, Francis Nwifuru, Peter Mbah, Hope Uzodinma, and Oby Ezekwesili.
“I once again call on all political, cultural, ethnic, and religious leaders across Nigeria to join this noble cause,” he said. “Nnamdi Kanu should be set free, and I remain firmly committed to peacefully mobilizing for justice and freedom in this matter.”
Kanu has been in detention since June 2021 after his extraordinary rendition from Kenya. Despite several court
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