Human rights activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore has issued a strong warning about what he describes as a recurring pattern of state-driven injustice in Nigeria.
In a statement posted on his official social platforms, Sowore drew a direct line between the controversial execution of Ken Saro-Wiwa and eight other Ogoni activists in 1995 and the ongoing legal battles surrounding Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
Sowore’s post marked 30 years since Saro-Wiwa, an acclaimed writer, environmental advocate, and defender of the Niger Delta, was hanged after what has widely been condemned as a flawed and politically-motivated trial under the military regime of General Sani Abacha. He emphasized that the Nigerian leadership has failed to learn from its past, continuing to weaponize the legal system against dissenting voices.
According to Sowore, the circumstances surrounding Kanu’s prolonged detention and upcoming court ruling, scheduled for November 20, 2025, reflect a dangerous déjà vu. He cautioned that another life could be placed at risk simply for exercising the right to self-determination, warning that such outcomes would only deepen national wounds and further erode public confidence in governance and justice.
Sowore reaffirmed that the memory of Ken Saro-Wiwa must serve as a protective barrier against repeated injustice, insisting that “similar tragedies will not be tolerated ever again.”
He concluded his message with a renewed call for Nnamdi Kanu’s release, amplifying the hashtag #FreeNnamdiKanuNow, which continues to gain traction across activist and international rights communities.
See his poste below:
