Omoyele Sowore Nnamdi Kanu Protest defies court order as activist leads October 20 march in Abuja, demanding IPOB leader’s immediate release.
Omoyele Sowore Nnamdi Kanu Protest action has taken centre stage in Nigeria’s capital, as the human rights activist and former presidential candidate calls citizens to join a peaceful, nationwide march demanding the release of detained IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu.
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Despite a restraining court order issued by Justice Mohammed Umar of the Federal High Court in Abuja, barring demonstrations near sensitive government institutions, Sowore remained unwavering in his message.
On Monday morning, via a post on X (formerly Twitter), he rallied Nigerians to step out in defiance: “Good morning, wherever you may be this morning, do not stop moving. Carry a sign, sing a song, make a statement!”
The protest, tagged #FreeNnamdiKanuNow, was announced on Sunday night with Sowore welcoming supporters from across the country. “
Your courage, sacrifice, and solidarity speak volumes,” he wrote, promising a powerful and peaceful display of unity.
He confirmed the protest would commence at 7 am at the Transcorp Hilton Hotel in Abuja. “Come ready, come peaceful, come determined,” he urged.
The protest’s timing is poignant, coinciding with the fifth anniversary of the #EndSARS movement — a nationwide uprising that highlighted police brutality and left an indelible mark on Nigeria’s civil rights history.
Legal roadblocks, however, emerged swiftly. The interim injunction banned Sowore and other organisers from staging protests in areas such as the Presidential Villa, National Assembly, Eagle Square, and Shehu Shagari Way.
In response, Sowore questioned the judicial system’s impartiality. “If a court order truly exists, why hasn’t the same police obtained one against those protesting against Kanu’s release for three days straight?” he asked. “The hypocrisy is glaring. The double standards are undeniable.”
Sowore confirmed that his legal team, comprising 115 lawyers, is prepared to challenge the order in court. Until then, he insists the protest is protected by law and must go on.
“October 20 FreeNnamdiKanuNow remains sacrosanct,” he declared. “We march peacefully, lawfully, and powerfully.”
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Whether the government will permit or crack down on the march remains to be seen, but the protest already symbolises a broader call for justice, equity, and constitutional freedoms in a politically polarised Nigeria.
