Igbo group supports demonstration, calls for release

From Joe Obukata Ogbodu, Warri

Ndi Na Asu Bia Socio Cultural Organization (NNABSCO) has thrown its weight behind the call for the release from detention of the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

NNABSCO, in a statement, yesterday, demanded the immediate release of Kanu, describing him as a notable Igbo freedom fighter.

The statement by Chief Kingsley Kainebi (President), Benjamin Ofochi-Atagana (Secretary), and Chief Cosmas Agada (Patron) expressed support for moves, including nationwide protests, saying that the call for his release was based on moral and civic duty to uphold the principles of justice and equality that sustain every peaceful nation.

The statement read: “Ndi Na Asu Bia Socio-Cultural Organisation thus wishes to publicly make this position public while calling on all men and women of good conscience to support this move. The organisation hereby declares its full support for the peaceful protest scheduled for Monday as announced by Omoyele Sowore, and affirms that we have officially signed up to participate in the nationwide action.

“We support and align fully with the purpose of the protest, which seeks to call attention to the continued violation of fundamental rights of citizens and to demand fidelity to the rule of law in Nigeria.

“We encourage all people of goodwill and good conscience across Nigeria and beyond to join this peaceful protest. The pursuit of justice is a collective effort that transcends ethnic, religious, and regional boundaries.

“We recognize Mazi Nnamdi Kanu as a prisoner of conscience, unjustly detained for his beliefs and advocacy. He has remained incarcerated for almost a decade despite several rulings of competent courts ordering his release.

“The continued detention of Mazi Kanu in blatant disregard of lawful court orders constitutes a grave violation of the principles of justice, equity, and fairness upon which any democratic society must stand. It lays precedence for more violations and neglect of lawful court orders on rights of citizens, and this is the beginning of evil dictatorship.

“This situation also reinforces longstanding concerns of discrimination against the Igbo people, particularly when others accused or convicted of similar or even greater offences have been freed or pardoned. Such selective justice weakens national unity and widens divisions among Nigeria’s diverse communities.

“We call on the Federal Government of Nigeria to obey all valid court judgments and release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu without further delay. Obedience to the rule of law is the first test of any government’s legitimacy and its commitment to a just society.

“We further urge the security agencies to respect citizens’ constitutionally guaranteed rights to peaceful protest and expression.

“This organization remains committed to lawful, non‑violent advocacy and believes that justice for one Nigerian is justice for all.

The group noted that Nigeria cannot know peace without fairness, nor unity without truth.