May 30, 2026 | SUNTV Global Channel Special Report
Leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, and his American associate, Mike Arnold, have jointly released a political manifesto titled “The Sokoto Declaration: A Call to Rise Up and Free the Land Known as Nigeria,” calling for a fundamental restructuring of Nigeria’s constitutional and political framework.
The declaration, released on May 30, 2026, outlines the authors’ concerns about governance, security, human rights, and self-determination within Nigeria, while proposing a new constitutional arrangement that they say would better reflect the aspirations of the country’s diverse ethnic nationalities.
According to the document, Kanu and Arnold argue that Nigeria’s current political system has failed to adequately address longstanding grievances relating to insecurity, political representation, and social justice.
The manifesto also raises concerns about violence in parts of the country, alleging that many communities have suffered displacement, loss of lives, and destruction of property over several years.
In the declaration, the authors call for greater international attention to Nigeria’s political and humanitarian challenges and advocate an internationally supervised process aimed at developing a new constitutional framework based on what they describe as genuine self-determination and inclusiveness.
The document further references provisions of both domestic and international legal instruments to support its arguments regarding political rights and governance reforms.
While strongly critical of the current political structure, the declaration states that its objective is not to promote unlawful violence but to encourage political action, civic engagement, and discussions on the future of the Nigerian federation.
The release of the manifesto coincides with the annual Biafra Remembrance Day, a date observed by many supporters of the Biafra movement to commemorate those who lost their lives during the Nigerian Civil War between 1967 and 1970.
Political observers believe the document signals a renewed effort by IPOB and its supporters to internationalise conversations around self-determination, constitutional reform, and the future structure of Nigeria.
The publication of the declaration is expected to generate reactions from political leaders, civil society organisations, legal experts, and government officials as debates over restructuring, federalism, and national unity continue ahead of the 2027 general elections.
As of the time of filing this report, there has been no official response from the Federal Government regarding the contents of the manifesto.
