Youth leaders from the 17 Southern states of Nigeria, under the aegis of the Supreme Council of Southern Nigerian Youths Leaders, have called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to order the immediate and unconditional release of the detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
The call was part of a communiqué issued at the end of the council’s three-day Inaugural Strategic Meeting held in Onitsha, Anambra State. The group stressed that Kanu’s release is critical to promoting distributive justice and fostering national unity.
Speaking during a press conference at the event, the Council’s President, Mr. Arthur Obiora, who was flanked by representatives from all 17 Southern states, emphasized the urgent need for the Federal Government to establish a Special National Ethnic Communities Peace and Development Commission. According to him, the proposed commission would address long-standing grievances among Nigeria’s diverse ethnic groups and promote peaceful coexistence.
Obiora also raised concerns over rising insecurity across Southern Nigeria, stating that the region has endured enough violence and unrest. He urged the Federal Government to act decisively in addressing security threats to restore peace and stability.
“We call for the immediate and unconditional release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, the establishment of a Special National Ethnic Communities Peace and Development Commission, and the urgent tackling of escalating insecurity in Southern Nigeria,” Obiora said. “These are necessary steps toward fostering equity, justice, and inclusive governance.”
The youth leaders further reiterated their unwavering commitment to the unity of Nigeria, noting that their actions were not aimed at promoting division but at seeking fairness and regional inclusion.
“We are not against the unity of Nigeria. In fact, we affirm our loyalty to a united nation, but one that is rooted in equity, justice, and inclusivity,” the statement read.
The council also decried internal divisions among youths in the South along ethnic, religious, and political lines. They stressed that such fragmentation hampers collective progress and regional development.
“Our meeting in Onitsha was a deliberate move to strengthen collaboration among youth leaders across the Southern states and to build a united front capable of influencing policies for the development of our region,” Obiora added.
The youth leaders expressed readiness to partner with political stakeholders across the South to foster regional integration and developmental synergy. They also called for the active inclusion of young people in governance, noting that Southern youths make up over 60% of the population and contribute more than 70% of the region’s workforce.
“We urge the Tinubu administration to integrate Southern youths into the governance framework, as doing so would unlock immense human capital potential for national development,” the group stated.
The Council concluded by urging youth-focused organizations across Southern Nigeria to join forces with the Supreme Council to amplify the voice of the region and push for meaningful change.
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