A coalition of South-Easterners in the United States is mobilising for a large-scale protest in Washington, D.C, to oppose the visit of a high-level Nigerian government delegation reportedly heading to America to "polish Nigeria’s image."
In a statement on Monday, Comrade Emma Powerful, spokesman for the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), said the planned demonstration would be peaceful but "unmistakably powerful," aimed at exposing what the group described as "the grim realities" in Nigeria.
According to the statement, IPOB accused President Bola Tinubu’s administration of attempting to deceive the international community into believing that Nigeria enjoys peace, justice, and religious freedom, despite ongoing "ethnic cleansing, forced displacement, and mass killings" in parts of the country.
"A high-level Nigerian delegation is reportedly heading to the United States to polish Nigeria’s battered international image and deceive world leaders into believing that peace, justice, and religious freedom exist in that country. They want to cover the blood," IPOB said.
The group vowed not to allow what it called "a government presiding over ethnic cleansing, forced displacement, church burnings, abductions, and mass burials" to rewrite the narrative while victims "are still bleeding."
Powerful stated that the protest aims to "raise our voices with thunder in the capital of the free world," adding that the group stands in solidarity with US President Donald Trump’s position on "ethno-religious genocide in Nigeria."
He also recalled that IPOB leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, had repeatedly warned of "a jihadist expansion, land-grabbing agenda, and systematic extermination targeting Judeo-Christian populations" before his detention by Nigerian authorities.
"We will honour his sacrifice by taking the truth to Washington, D.C, loudly," the statement said.
IPOB listed regions allegedly affected by violence, including the Middle Belt, Southern Kaduna, Kwara, and the South-East, warning that "if we don’t rise, we will be the next headline, the next mass grave, the next 'never again' story."
While acknowledging that the protest will remain peaceful, the group called on Biafrans, Judeo-Christians, Yoruba Nation supporters, Middle Belt organisations, and other Indigenous groups in the diaspora to join the planned demonstration.
"This is not a violent call. This is not a call for confrontation. This is a call for a mass, peaceful, unstoppable display of conscience. Bring your voice, bring your flag, bring your courage," IPOB said.
Powerful urged all participants to begin mobilising immediately, adding that details of the protest’s date, time, and venue would be made public soon.
"No diplomatic lies can cover mass graves. No lobbying can erase the tears of widows and orphans. No propaganda can bury the truth forever," the statement concluded.
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