Abuja | October 11, 2025 —
Prominent businessman and Abia North senatorial hopeful, Chief Dr. Emeka Charles Kalu, has declared that he will join the planned #FreeNnamdiKanu protest in Abuja on Monday, October 20, to press for the immediate release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
The protest, convened by human rights activist and presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, is expected to begin at 7:00 a.m., with protesters converging on Aso Rock Presidential Villa. Sowore, who first announced the march last week, stated:
“Nnamdi Kanu should be set free. And I remain firmly committed to peacefully mobilizing for justice and freedom in this matter.”
He had also challenged South-East political leaders to join the march, accusing many of maintaining “selective silence” on Kanu’s prolonged detention.
In what appears to be a strong show of solidarity, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who is believed to be preparing for another presidential run in 2027, has also indicated interest in joining the protest. There are even rumours that Peter Obi, Labour Party’s 2023 flagbearer, may participate — a move observers say could make the protest one of the most symbolic opposition alignments in recent history.
Speaking exclusively to Jungle-Journalist.com, Chief Kalu said:
“I will be on the protest ground on Monday. Nnamdi Kanu is my brother from Abia State, and justice must not depend on politics or tribe. The law should be obeyed.”
Atiku had earlier described Kanu’s continued detention as “an open sore on the nation’s conscience,” while Sowore maintains that the protest will remain peaceful but firm in demanding justice and rule of law.
Chief Kalu, who hails from Amaogwu in Bende, Abia State, is a renowned entrepreneur and philanthropist. Through his ECK Foundation, he has sponsored free medical outreach and surgeries across communities, assisting hundreds of indigent patients. He is also the founder of Stercoll Energy USA and a key player in Nigeria’s political space, having once contested for the Abia governorship under the APGA platform and later played a key role in Atiku Abubakar’s 2019 presidential campaign through the Atikulated Agenda movement.
Political analysts say Kalu’s decision to join the protest adds moral and symbolic weight, considering his deep ties to both the South-East and national politics. His move, they note, may help galvanize unity among opposition leaders, while amplifying calls for justice and due process in Nnamdi Kanu’s case.
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