A South East group, Task force and Committee for Free Nnamdi Kanu, has distanced itself from the #FreeNnamdiKanuNow Planned Protest by Omoyele Sowore, publisher of Sahara reporters and presidential candidate of AA in the last general election.
Sowore has called Nigerians out to protest the continued detention of the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu by the Nigerian government.
The protest is scheduled to hold across the country on Monday, October 20.
Addressing a press conference in Abuja on Sunday, the Convener and Executive Secretary, Task force and Committee for Free Nnamdi Kanu of IPOB, Barr. Emejulu Okpalaukwu Okpalaezeukwu, said no group from the Southeastern region was involved in the Sowore’s planned protest.
He said at no point did they ever contemplate staging any kind of protest, especially when political moves were already going on for the release of Kanu.
He said that, besides, traditional rulers from the region were on top of the issue.
Okpalaezeukwu also said he suspected an ulterior motive for the protest, especially as it was coming at a point where traditional rulers had gone far in the attempt to release Nnamdi Kanu.
He also alleged that there were people benefiting from the continued incarceration of Kanu and would not want him released.
He insisted that they were not against anybody protesting but doubted if it would serve any good purpose at this point in time as efforts were high to get Kanu released, stating that they were against any move that could jeopardise the ongoing efforts.
He called on “Ndi Igbo, particularly igbo traders, youth and peace loving Nigerians to stay away from Sowore’s October 20, 2025 protest.”
He said: “We have concluded spiritual and political actions to peacefully secure freedom and release of Nnamdi Kanu for peace, security, understanding, unity, development and progress of mankind.”
He said our further findings indicated that Nnamdi Kanu being “symbol of Igbo resistance against marginalization is always attracting multi dimensional support and contributions of Ndi Igbo and good people Worldwide, towards his freedom and release.”
He, however, said, “This protest does not have the blessing of Ndi Igbo and all the traditional leaders from the South East.
He said: “In view of the above, let all traders, youth, students and civil servants go about their normal businesses.
“If protests must take place, allow the politicians, those against and those for , do the protest PEACEFULLY.”
He therefore charged the security agencies to do their work so as to ensure the protest is not hijacked.
