Human-rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has accused Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential flagbearer, of deliberately avoiding the ongoing #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest due to concerns about who would take the spotlight.
Sowore made the claim during an interview on Mic On, hosted by journalist Seun Okinbaloye, where he said Obi’s refusal to join the movement reflected “political calculation rather than principle.”
He alleged that Obi’s camp believed the protest was about “who leads it,” describing their attitude as a “steal-the-show mentality.”
“Anybody sensible would understand that where there’s injustice, you don’t look at who is fighting it,” Sowore said. “You think about the cause itself.”
The SaharaReporters publisher dismissed claims that his campaign for Kanu’s release was politically motivated or influenced by figures such as Atiku Abubakar, Goodluck Jonathan, or Peter Obi.
Sowore stressed that he has fought for justice since his youth, insisting he was not pursuing political advantage.
He argued that fighting for someone as controversial as Nnamdi Kanu, the detained IPOB leader, offered no political benefit.
“If I were looking for political gains, I wouldn’t fight for someone like Kanu,” he added. “Some people don’t even want to hear his name.”
The activist said he had reached out to several leaders, including the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, and members of the Abia State House of Assembly, urging them to back Kanu’s release.
Sowore said his goal was to promote justice and national healing, arguing that Kanu’s continued detention was unjustifiable.
He accused the Nigerian government of granting pardons to corrupt politicians and criminals while denying bail to a man “without real evidence against him.”
He further alleged that Nigeria’s treatment of Kanu reflected an unresolved hostility toward the Igbo population.
According to him, “Nigeria never truly ended the civil war against Biafrans.”
Sowore maintained that Kanu’s release would help rebuild trust and unity across the nation.
The activist is leading a nationwide mobilisation for the October 20 protest march at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, demanding Kanu’s unconditional release.
He has challenged prominent Southeast leaders, including Anambra State Governor Chukwuma Soludo, Abia Governor Alex Otti, and Peter Obi, to join the demonstration.
In a recent post on X (formerly Twitter), Sowore wrote, “Time for action is now. Let’s march to Aso Rock Villa.”
He said the march would be peaceful and lawful, calling it a stand against injustice and persecution.
The campaign has since gained support from Atiku Abubakar, MASSOB founder Ralph Uwazuruike, Barrister Aloy Ejimakor, and several Southeast lawmakers.
Sowore concluded that releasing Kanu would represent a step toward genuine national reconciliation.