By Ikugbadi Oluwasegun
Advocates for Victims of Injustice and Discrimination and Ambassadors for Self-Determination, United States-based human rights and self-determination advocacy, have faulted the President Bola Tinubu Independence Day Broadcast which equated the Indigenous People of Biafra with Boko Haram.
In a Joint Statement made available to Newsmen, the Group said the statement is highly prejudicial especially now that IPOB is still pending before the Supreme Court and its leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu continues to face trial at the Federal High Court in Abuja.
They argued that such comment could influence the ongoing proceeding, undermine judicial independence and foster ethnic bias. According to the statement, equating a non violent and self determination group with violent extremest risk distorting the fact and deepening mistrust in the legal system.
It urged the President to direct his attention to the armed groups responsible for insecurity across the country.
The Groups called on the International Community to respond to what they called the unfair portrayal of IPOB calling on Canadian Authorities to recognize past rulings concerning political violence associated with Nigeria’s major political parties
The statement added that when peaceful groups gave harsh treatment, those responsible for widespread insecurity enjoy diplomatic acceptance just as it called for immediate and unconditional release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu saying his continuous detention only enhances his public support
They urged Global stakeholders to hold Nigeria authorities accountable for action that might lead to ethnic division under the giuse of National Security.
