Ahead of the October 20 planned protest march for the release of detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, a global pan-Igbo association, Ndi Igbo World Union, has urged all Igbos to support the exercise.
DAILY POST reports that the protest march, which is slated to culminate at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, is being organized by activist, Omoyele Sowore.
Already, several prominent Nigerians, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, have joined their voices to the renewed calls for Kanu’s release.
In a statement issued in Peabody, Massachusetts, USA, on Monday, signed by Benjamin I. Nwankwo, Chairman, and Chief Charles C. Edemuzor, Secretary, Ndi Igbo World Union urged Igbos to stand up for justice by participating, or supporting the planned protest march to the Presidential Villa.
Titled ‘Clarion call to all Igbos worldwide: Stand up for justice — Join the #FreeMaziNnamdiKanu Now peaceful march to Aso Rock’, the statement appealed to Igbos in all parts of the world to rise with one voice.
The union emphasized that the exercise is not a violent protest.
“The Ndi Igbo World Union, speaking from the heart of the global Igbo family, hereby issues this clarion call to every Igbo man, woman, and child — from Aba to Atlanta, Enugu to Edmonton, Nsukka to New York, and Owerri to Oslo — to rise in one voice of peace, unity, and justice in support of the ongoing #FreeMaziNnamdiKanuNow campaign. This historic peaceful march to Aso Rock on Monday, October 20, 2025, is not a protest of violence, but a moral pilgrimage of conscience — a call for Nigeria to return to justice, humanity, and the rule of law.
“Our Collective Moral Duty: Mazi Nnamdi Kanu remains the pre-eminent freedom fighter of Africa, a man illegally renditioned and unjustly detained in violation of both Nigerian law and international conventions. His continued incarceration is a stain on the conscience of any nation that claims to practice democracy and justice. We, the Igbo and Biafran people worldwide, owe it to history and to posterity to stand in defense of truth and liberty,” the statement said.
Ndi Igbo World Union saluted all those who have added their voice to the demand for Kanu’s unconditional release.
“We salute the courage of Omoyele Sowore, Hon. Obi Aguocha, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, and every leader of conscience who has joined hands to demand Kanu’sfreedom. We equally urge members of the Abia State House of Assembly who first ignited this noble idea to key in fully, coordinate with the organisers, and demonstrate unity in purpose and spirit. Let every Igbo union, student body, market association, church, town union, and diaspora chapter mobilise peacefully and massively. Let our presence be a testimony that we have not abandoned our own.”
Stressing the need for peace, order, and dignity, the statement added, “We must uphold peaceful comportment and discipline throughout this campaign. We reject every form of violence, hate, or provocation. The world is watching — and our strength lies in our restraint and moral authority. Let our chants be songs of peace; let our banners proclaim justice; let our feet march with dignity.”
Cautioning protesters to “beware of mischief makers,” the Igbo union added, “We caution all Igbo sons and daughters not to be swayed by quislings, detractors, and hired online mischief-makers whose only job is to divide and demoralize our people. Ignore them! Stand firm!! Truth and history are on our side!!!”
“We call on the United Nations, the African Union, the ECOWAS Court, and the international community to take note: the detention of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is a human rights crisis, and the call for his release is a nonviolent, lawful, and global demand for justice,” the union declared.
Urging Igbos to ensure the success of the protest, Ndi Igbo World Union said, “Let this moment unite us as never before. Let us march for justice, not vengeance; freedom, not anarchy; unity, not fear. History has placed this responsibility on our generation. Let us not fail.”
