As Nigeria marks this year’s Democracy Day, the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) has made a passionate appeal to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
The call, contained in a press statement signed by MASSOB Leader, Comrade Uchenna Madu, emphasized that the release of Kanu would not only uphold democratic values but also serve as a bold step toward national unity and healing.
“MASSOB strongly appeals to President Tinubu to make a historic mark by releasing Mazi Nnamdi Kanu on this year’s June 12 Democracy Day,” Madu stated. “Such an action will significantly contribute to national healing and foster better relations between the Igbo people and the Nigerian state.”
The group grounded its appeal in several core principles, including the promotion of national unity, respect for human rights, and the need for dialogue and peaceful resolution of longstanding grievances in the Southeast.
“We believe that releasing Kanu will pave the way for meaningful dialogue. This is not just about one man; it’s about a people’s yearning for justice, recognition, and inclusion in the Nigerian project,” Madu added.
The group stressed that June 12 is not just a date in history, but a powerful symbol of democracy, justice, and equity — values they argue must reflect in government actions, particularly in cases involving political prisoners.
“June 12 reminds Nigerians of the struggle for freedom and democratic ideals. What better way to honor that memory than to set free a man whose continued detention contradicts the very essence of democracy?” the statement queried.
MASSOB also noted that its demand mirrors widespread public sentiment, particularly in Igbo land, where calls for Kanu’s release have remained persistent since his detention.
“This appeal is not isolated. It echoes the voices of millions of Igbo people at home and in the diaspora, and many other Nigerians who believe in equity and justice,” Madu noted.
The group concluded by urging the Tinubu administration to rise to the occasion and use this symbolic national holiday to send a message of reconciliation and inclusiveness.
The release of Nnamdi Kanu, MASSOB insists, could become a defining moment in the president’s tenure and open a new chapter in government-ethnic relations across the country.
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