In response to a planned rally led by former presidential candidate and human rights activist Omoyele Sowore, alongside former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, calling for the release of Nnamdi Kanu (leader of IPOB, currently detained), the Northern Nigeria Youth Leadership Forum (NNYLF) has issued a warning to potential participants to stay away to avoid trouble.
Sowore has been rallying prominent Nigerians and the broader public to gather en masse on October 20 at the Presidential Villa, demanding President Bola Tinubu free Kanu, who has been in custody since his rendition from Kenya in 2021.
Speaking to journalists in Abuja on October 15, NNYLF President Murtala Mohammed Gamji announced that his organization has already mobilized more than 60 million youths from Northern Nigeria to embark on a three-day rally in support of President Tinubu’s re-election in 2027.
Gamji said their backing is based on Tinubu’s purported accomplishments, which they believe are beginning to manifest democratic dividends. While Gamji affirmed he is not categorically opposed to Kanu’s release, he accused both Sowore and Atiku of insincerity, arguing they are opportunistic politicians using the matter for political gain.
He criticized Sowore, saying he has no substantial ties to Nigeria (claiming he rents a hotel and his children live abroad), and claimed that Atiku seeks to further his personal ambitions at the expense of Nigerian youth. “They have no stake in this country—so why involve our youth in their schemes?” Gamji said.
Gamji further stated that October 20 coincides with the already planned arrival of roughly 63 million northern youths in Abuja, pledging to campaign for Tinubu’s continued leadership from October 20 to 23. He insisted their demonstration is not about partisan politics, but about supporting a “pilot” (Tinubu) to ensure Nigeria’s progress continues smoothly.
While maintaining that he is not opposed to Kanu’s release per se, Gamji reiterated his suspicion that Sowore and Atiku lack the integrity to spearhead such a protest. He urged them to hold a press conference instead and engage in genuine dialogue, rather than mobilizing street demonstrations.
