US-Based advocacy groups warn Tinubu’s comments on IPOB could affect legal proceedings
Three United States–based human rights and self-determination advocacy groups have raised concern over recent remarks by President Bola Tinubu referencing the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
In a joint statement on Thursday, Advocates for Victims of Injustice and Discrimination (AVID), Rising Sun, and Ambassadors for Self-Determination said the President’s comments could influence perceptions of ongoing legal matters involving IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu, whose detention and trial remain unresolved.
The organisations urged Nigerian authorities to shift focus to violent groups responsible for killings and mass displacements across parts of the country. They stressed that all government actions must adhere to due process and respect human rights, warning that prolonged detention and politically charged rhetoric risk fueling negative public sentiment.
They further appealed to the United States Congress, the U.S. Department of State, and the international community to closely monitor Nigeria’s governance and human rights practices, while encouraging peaceful and lawful measures in handling disputes.
Reiterating their call for a review of Kanu’s detention in line with existing court rulings, the groups recommended dialogue and reconciliation as more constructive pathways toward addressing self-determination issues in Nigeria.
