The Ohanaeze Youth council, OYC, has endorsed the October 20th nationwide protest for the release of leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

The protest is being organized by the 2023 presidential candidate of African Action Congress, AAC, activist, Omoyele Sowore.

In a statement issued on Monday by the National President, Comrade Igboayaka .O Igboayaka, the Ohanaeze Youth Council faulted the prolonged prosecution and incarceration of the IPOB leader.

Parts of the statement read, “The recent urgent and persuasive call to release Nnamdi Kanu by concerned Nigerians became evidently clear when the Boko Haram and bandits were pampered, granted amnesty and reintegrated into the Nigerian Army. This has sparked nationwide interest and global questions why the Federal Government still incarcerating Nnamdi Kanu.

“The essence of the 20th October Pan-Nigeria protest is that all Nigerians, irrespective of their tribe, zone or religion, are equal and deserve the same treatment or justice system, whether from the North or South-East.

“The Pan-Nigeria protest regarding the release of Nnamdi Kanu serves as a direct warning to the Federal Government that if they consider Nnamdi Kanu a terrorist, he should receive a pardon and be released similar to other Boko Haram and bandits in northern Nigeria.

“Nnamdi Kanu can’t be judged with a different law, detained, incarcerated and prosecuted while Boko Haram and bandits are forgiven and reintegrated into the Nigeria Army and the Society.

“The October 20th PAN-Nigeria protest over the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is fostering national awareness about the injustice meted out to Nnamdi Kanu due to his tribal identity, rather than any crime committed.

“The Pan-Nigeria Protest embodies a poignant inquiry by discerning Nigerians, challenging the Federal Government of Nigeria’s justification for engaging in talks with Boko Haram and bandits, yet declining to engage in a dialogue with the Indigenous People of Biafra and their leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

“To individuals wondering about the benefits or outcomes of the protest, or whether President Bola Tinubu will release Nnamdi Kanu due to the protest, it is vital to understand that since Comrade Omoyele Sowore initiated the protest, a significant number of Nigerians across different geopolitical zones have been contributing their voices, uniting, seeking a unified solution and political answer to Nnamdi Kanu’s case.”

The Ohanaeze Youth Council leader urged all Igbos to support the protest.

“I hereby call upon Igbo political leaders at all levels, both past and present, governors, senators, House of Representatives members, religious leaders, Catholic bishops, Anglican bishops, Methodist bishops, Seventh Day Adventists and traditional leaders to raise their banner of protest for the unconditional release of Nnamdi Kanu.

“I advise President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to avert Nigeria’s slide into chaos, turmoil and in the interest of national integration, political stability, and ethnic cohesiveness, to respond to the voice of Nigerians by directing the Attorney of the Federation to withdraw all cases against Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and grant him unconditional release.”

Ohanaeze Youth Council endorses October 20 protest for Nnamdi Kanu’s release