Two US-based groups advocating self-determination have called for the release of Nnamdi Kanu, citing concerns about his health and demanding that Nigeria recognise the right to self-determination through a referendum.
The groups, Avid Rising Sun and Ambassadors for Self-Determination, made the demands in a joint statement signed by Dr Sylvester Onyia, Mazi Evans Nwankwo and Dede Maxwell on Thursday.
They also called for Kanu’s immediate medical evacuation and treatment, alongside respect for his fundamental human rights.
The groups argued that demands for a referendum on self-determination should be addressed through democratic processes rather than criminal prosecution.
They cited recent developments in the United Kingdom, including discussions and parliamentary action concerning self-determination, as examples of how such demands could be debated within democratic institutions.
“If the United Kingdom can allow open debate and parliamentary votes on self-determination in 2026, by what twisted logic does Nigeria criminalise the same demand?” the statement said.
The groups called for the inclusion of a referendum as a constitutional right in Nigeria, arguing that people should have the opportunity to determine their political future.
They also maintained that Kanu’s call for a referendum should not, in itself, be treated as a criminal act.
On his health, the organisations alleged that Kanu was not receiving adequate medical attention and demanded his immediate evacuation for treatment.
“The deliberate neglect of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s health in detention is not merely inhumane,” the statement said.
The groups further questioned Britain’s response to Kanu’s case, noting that he is a British citizen. They called on the British government to press Nigeria for explanations concerning his treatment and the legal proceedings against him.
They also raised concerns about the handling of his appeal against his conviction, questioning why the case had not been heard.
Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), was convicted on terrorism-related charges and sentenced to life imprisonment by a court in Sokoto in September 2026.
The groups said his case raised questions about the treatment of people advocating self-determination and called for greater protection of fundamental rights.
They argued that Kanu’s political demands should be considered within discussions about justice, equity and federalism in Nigeria.
The statement also urged Nigerians to support peaceful debate on the country’s political future, insisting that people should be able to express their views on self-determination without fear.
The organisations demanded Kanu’s release, medical treatment and recognition of the right to determine the future of communities through a referendum.