Chief Ralph Uwazuruike, the founder and leader of the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), has declared his readiness to join activist Omoyele Sowore’s peaceful protest demanding the immediate release of detained Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader Nnamdi Kanu.
In a video statement made public on October 8, 2025, Uwazuruike emphasized that his support for the protest is not a matter of personal loyalty to Kanu but stems from broader concerns over the systemic injustice and humiliation faced by the Igbo people in Nigeria. He described the Kanu detention as symbolic of the marginalization and mistreatment of the entire Igbo nation.
Uwazuruike, who also leads the Biafra Independence Movement (BIM), stated his willingness to participate in any peaceful demonstration in Abuja or elsewhere in Nigeria. He has reportedly contacted Kanu’s legal team to express his readiness to serve as a defense witness in Kanu’s trial. He insists the protest must be non-violent and lawful, reaffirming his commitment to the cause.
“This is not just about Nnamdi Kanu. It is about the humiliation of Ndigbo. We must do this for the future of our children,” Uwazuruike said. He criticized the Nigerian government’s double standards in handling terrorism accusations and questioned why terrorists from other ethnic groups are being negotiated with while Kanu remains imprisoned.
Uwazuruike's declaration to join the protest comes ahead of the peaceful march to the Presidential Villa in Abuja, slated for October 20, 2025, which was announced by Omoyele Sowore. Sowore has called on political leaders, traditional rulers, and Nigerians, especially from the South-East, to actively participate in the protest to demand justice and Kanu’s freedom.