Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
Diaspora Igbo socio-cultural group, Ndigbo World Union, and the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) have declared full support for the “Free Nnamdi Kanu” peaceful march being championed by rights activist, Omoyele Sowore, on October 20.
In a statement issued from Massachusetts, United States of America, Ndigbo World Union urged Ndigbo at home and abroad to fully identify with the march.
NANS, on its part, has already directed students across the country to begin mobilisation for the protest, stating that participants would be conveyed to Abuja in 10 buses from each of the six geopolitical zones.
In a statement signed by its Chairman, Hon. Benjamin Nwankwo, and Secretary, Chief Charles Edemuzor, Ndigbo World Union said Kanu’s continued incarceration “is a stain on the conscience of any nation that claims to practice democracy and justice.”
According to the statement, “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.
“We owe it to history and to posterity to stand in defence of truth and liberty.”
Describing the planned march as “a moral pilgrimage of conscience,” the group said:.“This historic peaceful march to Aso Rock on Monday, October 20, 2025, is not a protest of violence but a call for Nigeria to return to justice, humanity, and the rule of law.”
The group commended Sowore and other organisers of the march, urging members of the Abia State House of Assembly as well as the Igbo political elite to fully identify with the initiative.
“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’s freedom.
“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 of 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.”
The group, however, urged participants to remain peaceful and avoid violence.
“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.”
It further cautioned participants to beware of mischief makers who might attempt to disrupt the peaceful exercise.
“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!”
The group also called the attention of the United Nations, African Union, ECOWAS Court, and the international community to what it described as “a human rights crisis.”
“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.
“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,” the statement concluded.
In a similar vein, NANS National President, Comrade Atiku Isah, said the students’ decision to join the protest was to demonstrate their zero tolerance for injustice.
NANS, therefore, directed its zonal leadership to mobilise and coordinate the movement of students from each zone to Abuja for the march.
According to the statement, “Following the resolution reached at the recent executive meeting of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), chaired by the National President, Comrade Atiku Isah, the leadership of NANS hereby calls on all Nigerian students to participate in the ‘Free Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’ nationwide protest scheduled to hold on Monday, October 20, 2025.
“To ensure effective coordination and participation across the country, students are to assemble at designated zonal points before proceeding to Abuja.”
Students from the South-West Zone are to converge in Ekiti State and depart for Abuja on Sunday, October 19; while those from the South-East Zone will meet in Enugu.
Similarly, students from the South-South Zone will converge in Edo State, and those from the North-East Zone will gather in Bauchi State.
Students from the North-West Zone are to meet in Kano, while those from the North-Central Zone will gather in Lokoja, Kogi State.
“For smooth transportation, 10 buses will be allocated to each zone. Detailed travel plans and further arrangements will be communicated directly to the respective Students’ Union Government (SUG) Presidents by the national leadership,” the statement added.
It further noted: “This mobilisation is part of our collective demand for justice, civil rights, and democratic accountability. As students, we affirm that freedom is achieved through struggle, and we remain committed to peaceful advocacy for what is right.”
Kanu has remained in confinement since June 2021 following his extraordinary rendition from Kenya.
