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A coalition of pro-Biafra groups has insisted that the recent sentencing of Nnamdi Kanu, the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), to life imprisonment will not reduce their determination to continue pushing for the creation of an independent Biafran state.
The groups described the judgment as a deliberate attempt to silence the Biafran struggle, adding that no amount of pressure, intimidation or legal punishment will stop them from pursuing what they believe is a legitimate cause.
According to the coalition, the Nigerian government has chosen the path of oppression rather than dialogue.
They argued that instead of addressing the long-standing political and economic grievances raised by the South-East, the government continues to rely on force, arrests and harsh court rulings. They claimed that such actions only deepen resentment and fuel the agitation further, rather than ending it.
The groups expressed displeasure over what they called a “biased and politically motivated” judicial process.
They alleged that Kanu’s trial lacked fairness and transparency, insisting that the entire proceeding was designed to intimidate not only Kanu but also every voice seeking self-determination.
In their view, the life sentence is symbolic of a wider effort to crush the aspirations of millions who feel marginalized and ignored in the Nigerian federation.
Despite this, the coalition stated that the movement for Biafra has become bigger than any single individual.
They emphasized that even though Nnamdi Kanu remains an important figure and a strong symbol of the struggle, the agitation is rooted in the collective experiences of the Igbo people.
They said Biafra is now an idea that cannot be imprisoned, no matter how long its leaders are detained.
They urged their followers to remain peaceful but steadfast, warning against actions that could be used as an excuse to further militarize the region.
However, they made it clear that the struggle will continue through political advocacy, international engagements and civil resistance. According to them, the government should not mistake their commitment to peace as weakness.
Furthermore, the coalition called on international human rights organizations, foreign governments and regional bodies to pay close attention to what they described as abuses directed at pro-Biafra activists.
They argued that silence from the international community encourages the Nigerian government to continue using force rather than seeking dialogue.
The groups also appealed to elders, traditional rulers and political leaders in the South-East to rise above fear and speak openly against what they see as injustice. They insisted that history will judge those who choose silence at a time when the rights and identity of their people are at stake.
In conclusion, the coalition reaffirmed that no court judgment or prison sentence will end the Biafra agitation. To them, the conviction of Nnamdi Kanu is not the end of the movement but another chapter in their long struggle.
They vowed to keep pushing until the aspirations of the Biafran people are achieved, maintaining that true freedom cannot be crushed by force or fear.
