detention, call for dialogue” />
By Ibrahim Hassan-Wuyo
Three prominent human rights and self-determination organizations based in the United States have voiced their apprehensions regarding recent statements made by President Bola Tinubu concerning the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
In a collaborative declaration released on Thursday, Advocates for Victims of Injustice and Discrimination (AVID), Rising Sun, and Ambassadors for Self-Determination highlighted that the president’s remarks could potentially influence public opinion about the ongoing judicial processes involving IPOB and its leader, Nnamdi Kanu, whose detention remains a contentious and unresolved issue.
These organizations emphasized the importance of directing governmental efforts toward dismantling violent factions responsible for widespread violence and displacement in various regions of Nigeria. They stressed that all actions must adhere strictly to legal standards and uphold fundamental human rights. The groups cautioned that extended detention periods combined with inflammatory language might inadvertently escalate tensions among the populace.
Furthermore, the advocacy groups appealed to the United States Congress, the U.S. Department of State, and the global community to keep a vigilant eye on Nigeria’s governance practices and human rights conditions. They urged these bodies to promote peaceful and lawful methods for conflict resolution.
Reiterating their demand for a reassessment of Kanu’s detention in accordance with judicial directives, the groups advocated for open dialogue and reconciliation as effective strategies to address the broader challenges surrounding self-determination.