The former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Atiku Abubakar, has described the continued incarceration of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, (IPOB) as “an open sore on our nation’s conscience and a stain on our belief in the rule of law”.
Mr Atiku, a former vice president, in a statement on Thursday caution the Tinubu’s led government to trade carefully in the handling of the IPOB leader’s case, warning against allowing his “case to fester as yet another wound this nation refuses to heal”.
Atiku expressed regret over the continued detention of Kanu despite court orders granting him bails.
The statement reads: “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.
“I, therefore, lend my voice in full support of the campaign led by Omoyele Sowore 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.”
Kanu has been detained by the Department of State Service (DSS), since he was renditioned from Kenya by the Nigerian government in 2021.
Omoyele Sowore, a human rights activist , in a series of statement issued on Wednesday, urged all South-East governors, lawmakers, traditional rulers, and religious leaders to join the demonstration.
“No more empty noise. Let @CCSoludo, @SenatorAbaribe, @alexottiofr, @PeterObi, and all others who claim to care step up and join us in person.
“Every governor, senator, member of the House, traditional ruler, priest, eze, Igbo person, and every Nigerian who believes in Kanu’s freedom should come out and do more than talk,” he added.
The development comes amid failing health of Kanu in DSS custody.
