A legal practitioner has cautioned activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, against his planned protest to demand the release of detained IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, warning that such action could jeopardize ongoing efforts by stakeholders to secure Kanu’s freedom through political and diplomatic channels.
Speaking on Complete Politics with Chukwuma Okeke, the Barrister said while Sowore has the right to lead demonstrations, the approach and timing of the planned march to Aso Rock are “misguided” and could be counterproductive.
He argued that several Igbo leaders, including the late Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, governors, lawmakers, and Ohanaeze Ndigbo chieftains, have already made extensive appeals to both the previous and current administrations for Kanu’s release.
The Barrister maintained that Sowore’s call for sitting governors to join the protest was unrealistic and disrespectful, noting that it would be inappropriate for governors to publicly demonstrate against the same government they serve under.
“You don’t expect a sitting governor to join a street protest. There are more decent and strategic ways to pursue Kanu’s release,” he said.
He further suggested that the government has no legal basis to continue detaining Kanu, insisting that several court rulings, including judgments from the ECOWAS Court, had favored his release.
However, he warned that any confrontational approach could harden the government’s stance.
“Nobody can force a government to act through intimidation. We should not jeopardize the progress made so far. The international community is already watching, and at some point, the government will have no choice but to release him,” he added.
The Barrister also questioned the timing of the proposed protest, which coincides with the fifth anniversary of the #EndSARS demonstrations, describing it as “a wrong signal” that could fuel tension and misunderstanding.
“Why choose October 20, the same day as EndSARS remembrance? It could be seen as an attempt to exploit past tragedies or promote personal ambitions,” he said.
He cautioned that protests at this stage could be misinterpreted and potentially hijacked, emphasizing that diplomatic engagements were still ongoing behind the scenes to resolve the matter.
Reacting to suggestions that Sowore might be using the protest to position himself politically or draw attention to his movement, the Barrister advised him to “carry on with his plans” without dragging Southeast leaders or politicians like Peter Obi into the campaign.
“He has the right to protest, but he should not call out Southeast governors or political leaders as if they are his subordinates. That’s an insult,” he stated.
The discussion also touched on allegations that some Southeast elites may have sent conflicting messages to the presidency—pleading for Kanu’s release publicly while privately warning that his freedom could trigger unrest in the region. The Barrister dismissed such claims, saying disagreements among leaders are natural and do not diminish the broader call for justice.
He expressed confidence that Kanu would eventually regain his freedom, citing past cases where prolonged detentions ended without trial.
“Mandela was in detention for 27 years. When it was time, he was released. Nnamdi Kanu will also be released when the time comes,” he concluded.
