A pan-Igbo advocacy group, the Ikenga Think-Tank, has called on all Nigerians, regardless of their ethnic background or religious beliefs, to take part in the upcoming protest demanding the release of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu.
Ikenga Think-Tank made this appeal in a statement issued on Saturday by Dr. Dunkwu Agbambu.
The FreeeNnamdiKanuNow protest, led by activist Omoyele Sowore, is scheduled for Monday, October 20.
The statement, titled “The People's Communique for Justice and Liberation,” demands the immediate release of Nnamdi Kanu.
It urged various ethnic groups across the country to support the protest, emphasizing that Kanu is advocating for all oppressed Nigerians, not just the Igbo people.
“To all Nigerian youths, students, patriots, children of the Rising Sun, descendants of Odùduwà, heirs of the great Hausa and Kanem-Bornu warriors, and children of the Niger-Benue cradle, the time has come! The drums of freedom are sounding once more. Our ancestral lands are once again being desecrated by the violence of Fulani terrorism, armed invaders who burn villages, occupy farmland, and commit atrocities against the innocent while the government remains silent, and security forces target indigenous youth in the East. Each night, our mothers' tears soak the soil from North to South.
“We have witnessed the same adversaries who devastated our villages during the slave raids now masquerading in contemporary governmental garb, spreading terror, poverty, and injustice across this wounded nation using the APC and other political instruments.
“The courts, once revered as temples of justice, have devolved into marketplaces where truth is auctioned to the highest bidder, becoming trading posts for corruption and oppression. The will of the people has been shackled by a system that scorns freedom and fears enlightenment. Our political structures have transformed into mechanisms of enslavement, designed to silence the poor and bind the brave.
“Yet amid this darkness, one voice emerged, a voice of truth, courage, and prophecy. Mazi Nnamdi Kanu warned that the caliphate would spread terror, that they would corrupt the courts, infiltrate the military and police, and enslave our people through fear. He asserted that Nigeria’s foundation was a prison designed to break her own children. Every word he spoke has come to fruition. For this truth, he was illegally abducted from Kenya and imprisoned in violation of international laws and basic human rights.
“Now, the question remains: will we remain silent once more? No! For silence now is betrayal! The time for silence has passed. The time for excuses is over. The time for action and unity has arrived. From the savannas of the North to the forests of the East, from the Delta Creeks to the Yoruba plains, let every indigenous tribe, every student, every farmer, every hunter, every market trader, and every patriot rise to join Mazi Omoyele Sowore, another fearless son of the soil, and all other forces of conscience to occupy Aso Rock and the streets of Abuja, the roads of Lagos, the fields of Kaduna, the hills of Enugu, the Creeks of the Delta, and the bustling cities of Aba, Nnewi, and Onitsha until justice prevails and Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is released! Our demand is straightforward: the immediate release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu! Freedom for all indigenous peoples of Nigeria!”
The statement emphasized that no force can hinder the protest if Nigerians unite for Kanu’s release.
Stressing that the protest is not a challenge to the state, Ikenga Think-Tank clarified that the protesters are merely seeking justice.
“Until justice flows like a river and freedom becomes the air we breathe, we will occupy Aso Rock! Let every street in Nigeria become a voice. Let Abuja tremble under the footsteps of a united people. Let the gates of Aso Rock hear the cries of the forgotten, a cry that will not be silenced again until freedom answers. We are not enemies of the state; we are the soul of the nation! We do not seek war; we demand justice! We do not bring hatred; we bring truth, and truth is revolution.
The legacy of our ancestors lives within us, from Queen Amina to Ovonramwen, from Ikemba Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu to Obafemi Awolowo, from Ken Saro-Wiwa to Isaac Boro. They whisper one command: “Arise, O sons and daughters of light! Reclaim your land, your dignity, and your destiny.”
In light of concerns regarding potential disruptions during the protest, Ikenga Think-Tank urged for a non-violent, peaceful demonstration.
The statement concluded, “Let this movement be peaceful yet relentless, disciplined yet unwavering, unified yet unstoppable. Let no tribe stand alone, for oppression knows no tribe, and freedom belongs to all.
“Until justice is served, until the chains of our prophet are broken, until Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is unconditionally released, we stand firm at Aso Rock! Freedom for Mazi Nnamdi Kanu! Justice for all indigenous peoples! Liberation for Nigeria!”
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of the protest?
The protest aims to demand the immediate release of Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), and to seek justice for all indigenous peoples of Nigeria.
I'm dedicated to creating high-quality content that informs, inspires, and delights. If you have any questions or suggestions, don't hesitate to get in touch. Happy reading!
