Two U.S.-based advocacy organizations, Advocates for Victims of Injustice and Discrimination and Ambassadors for Self-Determination, have criticized President Bola Tinubu’s Independence Day speech, condemning his comparison of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) with the extremist group Boko Haram.
In a joint statement released to the media, the groups described the President’s remarks as “highly prejudicial,” particularly given the ongoing legal proceedings involving IPOB and its leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. Kanu’s case is still before the Supreme Court, while he also faces charges at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
The statement argued that equating IPOB a self-determination group that claims to be non-violent with a known terrorist organization could influence the judiciary, undermine the principle of judicial independence, and fuel ethnic tensions.
The groups warned that such rhetoric risks distorting the reality of the situation and eroding public trust in Nigeria’s legal institutions.
They called on President Tinubu to focus instead on the violent armed groups and bandits contributing to widespread insecurity across Nigeria.
Further, the groups appealed to the international community to challenge what they termed the “unfair portrayal” of IPOB. They urged Canadian authorities, in particular, to take note of previous rulings related to political violence tied to Nigeria’s major political parties.
The statement also decried what it described as the differential treatment between peaceful political movements and violent actors who allegedly enjoy diplomatic recognition.
It called for the immediate and unconditional release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, stating that his prolonged detention continues to bolster his support base.
Finally, the advocacy groups urged global stakeholders to hold the Nigerian government accountable for actions that could lead to further ethnic polarization under the guise of national security.