Nigerian legal practitioner and public affairs analyst, Njoku Jude Njoku, Esq., has said that the ongoing incarceration of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), could ultimately give birth to a national liberation movement that transcends regional and ethnic boundaries.
In a powerful essay titled “Nnamdi Kanu’s Struggle May Yet Give Birth to a National Liberation for All Nigerians,”Njoku traced a historical pattern of oppression, arguing that successive regimes — from colonial administrators to present-day leaders — have criminalized truth-tellers and reformists who dared to challenge entrenched systems of injustice.
A Historical Pattern of Suppression
Njoku drew parallels between Kanu’s ordeal and those of nationalist icons such as Herbert Macaulay, Nnamdi Azikiwe, Obafemi Awolowo, Anthony Enahoro, and Ken Saro-Wiwa, all of whom faced imprisonment or persecution for their convictions.
“Today, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu joins that long list. His only crime is speaking through a microphone, not wielding a gun. Yet the state brands his words as terrorism,” he wrote.
Neo-Colonial Control and the “Mind Game”
According to Njoku, Nigeria’s political elite continue to serve as “stewards of a colonial estate,” protecting inherited systems of exploitation and division.
He accused Britain of “perfecting the art of building obedient elites—‘house slaves’ who defend their chains with patriotic fervour,” and argued that Kanu’s agitation threatens this neo-colonial architecture of control.
“Microphone Terrorism” vs “Bullet Terrorism”
Njoku condemned what he called Nigeria’s double standards in its definition of terrorism, writing:
“In Nigeria, terrorism with a microphone is an unforgivable sin, while terrorism with guns and bullets is rationalized, negotiated with, and rewarded with political appointments.”
He asserted that Kanu’s influence lies not in violence but in awakening national consciousness, which he described as the true threat to those in power.
Legal Battles and the Politics of Fear
Njoku also highlighted the continued defiance of court orders regarding Kanu’s detention, despite multiple rulings declaring his 2021 rendition from Kenya illegal.
He noted that the Federal High Court adjourned Kanu’s case again on October 8, 2025, pending a report on his health from the Nigerian Medical Association, calling the prolonged trial “a judicial hostage situation.”
Atiku’s Call for Justice
Njoku commended former Vice President Atiku Abubakar for joining activist Omoyele Sowore in calling for Kanu’s unconditional release.
Atiku had described the ongoing detention as “an open sore on our nation’s conscience.” Njoku said the former vice president’s stance could mark “a rare moment of moral clarity from the political class.”
A #GreatMarchForMNK has been announced for October 20, with activists across the country expected to mobilize in support of Kanu’s freedom.
History Repeating Itself
Njoku drew a striking comparison between past colonial injustices and present-day repression, accusing the Tinubu administration of perpetuating the same colonial-era mindset it once condemned.
“Herbert Macaulay yesterday. Nnamdi Kanu today. The story is the same, and the history inescapable,” he noted.
Toward a Broader Liberation
Njoku concluded that the growing solidarity around Kanu’s struggle may evolve into a nationwide movement for justice, equity, and true federalism.
“Perhaps Kanu’s vision will expand beyond Biafra, to embrace all who have been relegated to the fringes of economic development and abandoned by a parasitic political order,” he wrote.
He added that if the upcoming march succeeds, it could mark “a rebirth of solidarity that may yet redeem the Nigerian conscience.”
Njoku signed off by identifying himself as “a proud son of Ikenga Ezudo, Mbaise, Imo State, Nigeria.”
