If Militants Became Billionaires, Why Keep Kanu Behind Bars? Sowore Questions Government Strategy

Human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has urged the Federal Government to adopt a reconciliation-driven solution to national tensions by releasing detained IPOB leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and initiating a truth and reconciliation process aimed at healing decades-old wounds in Nigeria.

Speaking on Mic on Podcast, Sowore argued that Nigeria cannot move forward without openly addressing its unresolved historical grievances, especially those tied to the civil war and continued agitation in the Southeast.

“This is part of how we can start that national healing,” he said. “Release Nnamdi Kanu, call for dialogue, get everybody to sit down—Gowon is still around—let them confront one of our ugliest pasts, which is the civil war.”

Sowore pointed to the Niger Delta amnesty programme as a clear example of how dialogue and rehabilitation can transform conflict and prevent full-scale unrest. He recalled the evolution of once-wanted militants into major economic stakeholders.

“You meet all the militants, they used to be in hiding; now they are billionaires,” he remarked. “Tompolo just donated 10 billion naira to Delta State. He’s probably richer than Delta State.”

The activist noted that without engagement and compromise, the Niger Delta struggle could have completely crippled Nigeria’s oil-dependent economy.

“If you continued fighting the insurgency in the Niger Delta, they would have shut down the entire oil production in the country,” he added.

Sowore questioned why government responses to armed groups in the North and Niger Delta differ drastically from the treatment of Kanu, whose main platform has been a media-driven advocacy movement.

“There’s a guy whose only weapon, regardless of what they tell you, is a radio broadcast,” he said, suggesting that continued detention only escalates tensions.

His remarks have further energized conversations around justice, political inclusion, and balancing national security with human rights. Advocates of peacebuilding in the Southeast see Sowore’s proposal as a possible route to reconciliation, while critics warn that amnesty might embolden separatist elements.

For now, Sowore’s challenge stands: if dialogue turned militants into peace stakeholders, what stops Nigeria from exploring the same path with Nnamdi Kanu?