Former Vice President and 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, has condemned the continued detention of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), describing it as “an open sore on the nation’s conscience.”
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Atiku said the federal government’s refusal to comply with court orders granting Kanu bail amounts to an abuse of power and an assault on justice.
“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,” Atiku said.
The former vice president expressed his full support for the campaign led by activist Omoyele Sowore demanding Kanu’s immediate release or due prosecution, stressing that Nigeria must not continue to ignore the principles of fairness and 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,” Atiku added.
Atiku’s remarks come amid growing calls from civil society groups, human rights activists, and political leaders urging the government to obey court rulings and address the legal and humanitarian concerns surrounding Kanu’s prolonged detention.
