Two prominent United States-based self-determination advocacy organizations have called on the Federal Government of Nigeria to immediately release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), citing critical concerns over his health and demanding an internationally recognized referendum.
​The call was contained in a joint press statement released on Thursday, October 22, 2026, in Washington, D.C., following a series of diaspora consultations including the recent annual convention of American Veterans of Igbo Descent (AVID) held in Georgia, USA.
​The joint statement was issued and endorsed by key spokespersons representing the diaspora coalition, including Dr. Sylvester Onyia, President of AVID; Mazi Evans Nwankwo, representative of Rising Sun; and Rev. Dede Maxwell, representing Ambassadors for Self-Determination.
​Addressing journalists and international observers, the spokespersons raised urgent alarms regarding Kanu’s medical condition in custody, alleging that the detained leader is being denied adequate medical attention. They urged the Nigerian authorities to allow for his immediate release and medical evacuation to receive appropriate healthcare abroad.
​The coalition also criticized the Nigerian judicial handling of Kanu’s legal proceedings, pointing out delays in listing and hearing his appeals against conviction, and questioning the court’s jurisdiction over his case given his extra-ordinary rendition from Kenya.
​The advocacy groups maintained that advocating for self-determination through a referendum is an internationally protected democratic right rather than a criminal or treasonable act.
Drawing parallels to recent self-determination debates across the United Kingdom, where leaders from Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland signed joint declarations on independence referendums in Cardiff, the coalition urged Nigeria to adopt a peaceful, political resolution.
​”A referendum is a democratic tool recognised worldwide,” the coalition stated. “Calling for a vote on self-determination cannot be treated as a crime when global democratic nations facilitate open debate on the future of their constituent nations.”
​The organisations appealed to the U.S. State Department, the United Nations, and international human rights bodies to intervene on humanitarian and legal grounds to secure Kanu’s unconditional release and facilitate a peaceful resolution.
