Most importantly he has some realistic solutions that would include both Kurds and Turks being happy. Problem is that the government is not allowing him to publish his ideas. Basically what Ocalan is advocating, is that Kurds can govern themselves and Turks can govern themselves. Without seperating from Turkey.
So basically autonomy, nothing new about this ideas.
The most basic rights must be restored. Those are just in short what he is suggesting as a solution. I recommend you to read his books if you want a full insight in his solutions.
I dont think that demands for basic rights are something new we wouldnt know without Öcalan.
I have not red any of his books but heard enough of some phrases which in my opinion do not differ much from our enemy ones.
As to his power, he is still the representative of the Kurdish people in NK. At least the majority. He is also seen as the leader according to the 3-4 million of NK in diaspora. So he is in a position of power.
He is a leader who has fallen into enemies hands and nothing of his knowledge or ideas is new which other Kurds wouldnt come to think about.
As to his hidden army. He has army. He has military power. Most of it, we have not yet seen. But basically, Ocalan advocates that we should avoid military solutions.
So he has a hidden army in his cell (sorry for my sarcastic tone I am not trying to make fun of Öcalan just trying to understand how he might be the solution for something where he cant contribute to much)
Other than that, he has another important power factor. A support group both among intellectuals but also among the normal people.
No this is drifting away I didnt asked what some people or supportive groups could contribute to him but what Öcalan could contribute to his followers and these supportive groups if he was free.
These are just some things that would play in Kurds hands once Ocalan is freed. Again, alone the fact that he is the leader, and that leaders negotiate solutions, is a great reason why he is the solution to the Kurdish question.
Leaders have come and gone throughout Kurdish history, I dont know what would make Öcalan so much more special than other Kurdish leaders.
I am not against the release of Öcalan, of course it should be one of the demands but I find it simply wrong to put him so high as if he is the key factor for the solution, as if he is a messiah.