(DDM) – The President of the Organization of Igbo Communities (OIC), Hon. Major Ukason Chukwuemeka, has openly endorsed the planned October 20th peaceful protest at Aso Rock Villa, calling for the immediate release of detained IPOB leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) gathered that the demonstration, organized by pro-democracy activist Omoyele Sowore, is expected to attract thousands of Nigerians, civil rights advocates, and members of the international community demanding justice and adherence to court rulings on Kanu’s prolonged detention.
Speaking during a press briefing in Abuja, Chukwuemeka expressed strong solidarity with Sowore and all Nigerians committed to peaceful protest as a constitutional right and a democratic instrument of accountability.
He stated that the Organization of Igbo Communities fully supports all lawful actions aimed at restoring fairness, equity, and respect for human rights in the country.
Chukwuemeka condemned the continuous incarceration of Nnamdi Kanu despite several court orders granting him bail, describing it as “a dangerous precedent that weakens public trust in the Nigerian judiciary.”
According to him, “Justice delayed is justice denied. Nnamdi Kanu’s continued detention is not only a violation of his rights but also a reflection of selective justice that threatens the unity and stability of the federation.”
He called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to demonstrate statesmanship and national inclusivity by ordering a review of Kanu’s case and initiating dialogue with Igbo leaders to address long-standing grievances.
The OIC leader further stressed that peace in the Southeast cannot be achieved through force but through meaningful engagement, fairness, and a genuine effort to heal wounds created by political exclusion and marginalization.
He appealed to security agencies to protect the rights of protesters during the October 20th march, warning against intimidation, harassment, or the use of excessive force on peaceful demonstrators.
Chukwuemeka revealed that Igbo communities across Nigeria and in the diaspora have been mobilized to observe solidarity vigils and prayer sessions in support of Kanu’s release and for national peace.
He reiterated that the Organization of Igbo Communities stands for justice, unity, and equal treatment of all ethnic groups, insisting that “no region or people should be made to feel like strangers in their own country.”
Political observers told DDM that Chukwuemeka’s endorsement adds significant momentum to the growing calls for Kanu’s freedom, which has gained traction across civil society networks, international human rights groups, and even within sections of the National Assembly.
The upcoming protest, tagged “Freedom For Kanu, Justice For All”, is expected to be one of the largest coordinated civil actions in Nigeria’s capital this year, with participants calling for respect for constitutional rights, rule of law, and the independence of the judiciary.
Chukwuemeka’s statement, now trending across social media platforms, has sparked both praise and criticism, with supporters hailing his courage and detractors accusing him of politicizing a sensitive national issue.
Nevertheless, his message was clear and resonant: “The time has come for Nigeria to choose justice over politics, unity over division, and dialogue over suppression.”
As October 20th approaches, eyes across the nation and the diaspora remain fixed on Aso Rock, where protesters say they will peacefully demand not just Nnamdi Kanu’s freedom, but also a renewed commitment to equity, justice, and true democracy in Nigeria.