#FreeNnamdiKanuNow: Did Atiku participate in protest?

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Juliet Buna

Claim: A Facebook user posted a video claiming that Atiku Abubakar joined the FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest on Oct. 20, 2025.

Verdict: False. DUBAWA’s findings reveal that the circulating clip is a snippet from an old video posted initially by Atiku Abubakar in March 2025.

Full Text

The “FreeNnamdiKanuNow” protest took place on Monday, October 20, 2025, in Abuja and had ripple effects in other parts of Nigeria. The rally organised by Omoyele Sowore, an activist and former presidential candidate, called for the release of Nnamdi Kanu.

The protest caused heavy traffic disruption and security response, with major roads into Abuja gridlocked as security forces set up checkpoints and barricades. 

Following the protest, several videos circulated online. One of such videos was posted by a Facebook user, Adeyeri Tv&Blogs, claiming that former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, joined the FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest in Abuja.

As of Oct. 21, 2025, the video had over 2,000 likes, 122 comments, and over 100 reposts.

Under the post, reactions from Facebook users varied. While Reuben Olusegun said, “Atiku goes there for campaigning,” Ibitoye Oyedotun wrote, “This video is when Atiku returned from Dubai to Adamawa, not a protest.” 

Another user, Agbaje Orange, commented, “They have turned the protest into a political rally,” while Aro Raphkin attributed it to Artificial Intelligence, stating, “Wetin AI go cause?” 

Dada Adedayo wrote, “He’s not doing it because of love for Kanu; he’s doing it because of the coming election.” 

Abdul-fahd Slimani added, “This one dey look for vote,” while Isaiah Dare Adeosun concluded, “Doctored video.”

DUBAWA decided to fact-check the video because it could heighten tensions surrounding the ongoing protest.

Verification

Checks by DUBAWA revealed that no credible or verified news platform reported Atiku Abubakar’s participation in the protest. Further analysis of the video using Invid Weverify showed Atiku surrounded by aides and supporters on an airport tarmac, with banners welcoming him back home. 

A reverse image search of key frames from the clip traced the footage to a previous event in March 2025, when Atiku returned from Dubai to Yola, Adamawa State.

DUBAWA found that Atiku posted the original two-minute 21-second video on his verified Facebook page in March 2025. The caption of his Facebook post read, “Touchdown Yola! Thank you, Adamawa, for the love and rousing welcome. –AA.”

Conclusion

The claim that Atiku Abubakar joined the FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest held in Abuja on Oct. 20, 2025, is false. The circulating video is old and unrelated to the protest. It was taken from a previous event showing Atiku’s return to Yola, Adamawa State, not from the rally organised by Omoyele Sowore.