11/10/2025
Tension Mounts As October 20 Approaches: March to A*o Rock Gains Momentum
As the calendar edges closer to October 20, political watchers and human rights activists across Nigeria are keeping their eyes on what is fast shaping up to be one of the most defining civic actions in recent years, the March to A*o Rock.
There have been growing lists of political heavyweights, civil rights figures, and notable voices of conscience signaling their readiness to join the march. Among them are Omoyele Sowore, the fiery human rights activist and convener of the movement; Atiku Abubakar, former Vice President of Nigeria; and Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, former President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria who have all lend their voices against the unlawful detention of the IPOB leader.
The planned march is intended to demand the immediate and unconditional release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), who has been unlawfully detained since 2021 under the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS). Despite numerous court rulings ordering his release, the Nigerian government has persistently defied these orders, a move that many legal experts and observers describe as “a direct assault on the rule of law.”
Perhaps, the most intriguing aspect of the forthcoming march is the coalition it appears to be building. For the first time in recent memory, politicians from divergent backgrounds and activists long known for opposing one another are finding common ground in a shared call for justice.
While Sowore’s participation reflects his consistent demand for freedom, equity, and good governance, the inclusion of Atiku and Jonathan both former presidential candidates and established figures within Nigeria’s political mainstream signals a shift in tone. It suggests that the issue of Nnamdi Kanu’s continued detention has now transcended ethnic and partisan lines to become a national moral question.
THE SYMBOLISM AND SIGNIFICANCE OF OCTOBER 20
The choice of October 20 is deeply symbolic. It marks the anniversary of the protests and the Lekki Tollgate massacre, a date that Nigerians now associate with state repression, youth resilience, and the cry for justice. Linking this historic day with the campaign adds a new layer of meaning, a continuity of Nigeria’s unfinished struggle against tyranny, corruption and impunity.
Already, online platforms are buzzing with renewed energy. Hashtags like , , and are trending as supporters from across regions prepare for what they describe as a “march of conscience.”
This is not about tribe or religion anymore, It is about justice. If they can hold Nnamdi Kanu against court orders, then no Nigerian is free.
As October 20 approaches, one question looms large: Will this march spark a new wave of national awakening, or will the Nigerian government respond with its familiar tactics of intimidation and silence?
Whatever happens, one thing is certain; the world will be watching. The March to A*o Rock is not just about one man’s freedom anymore; it’s about the soul of Nigeria’s democracy and the future of lawful governance in a country long haunted by injustice.
✍️ Family Writers Press International
