American Military Veterans of Igbo Descent defends Mike Arnold, authenticates Sokoto Declaration, warns Orabueze

News, Politics

ABUJA , Nigeria (NPA) — The American Military Veterans of Igbo Descent (AVID) has defended US-based activist Mike Arnold against what it described as malicious social media attacks by Ngozi Orabueze and her associates.

In a statement issued on Oct. 3, 2026, and signed by AVID President Dr Sylvester Onyia and Secretary Dr Godson Obiagwu, the group also affirmed what it described as the authenticity of the “Sokoto Declaration”, a five-page document jointly issued by Arnold and the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

Recall that Newpost Africa reported on June 1, 2026, that Kanu and Arnold had jointly issued the Sokoto Declaration, dated May 30, 2026, calling for sweeping political reforms, self-determination, decentralisation of governance and what they described as a national awakening against insecurity, displacement and alleged state oppression in Nigeria.

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The declaration was released in Kanu’s name and authenticated by his counsel, Barrister Aloy Ejimakor.

The document presents a broad critique of Nigeria’s political structure, security architecture and historical evolution, while proposing a new constitutional framework built around self-determination, regional autonomy and popular sovereignty.

Kanu and Arnold described themselves as individuals from different backgrounds who had arrived at a shared conviction about what they considered the need to address longstanding structural and political challenges confronting Nigeria.

The declaration paints a grim picture of the country’s security and humanitarian situation, alleging that millions of people across different regions have suffered violence, displacement, poverty and political marginalisation over several decades.

The authors cited the Nigerian Civil War, insurgency in the North-East and attacks on communities in various parts of the country as evidence of what they described as a prolonged national crisis.

According to the declaration, the violence and instability experienced across Nigeria are not inevitable but are the result of political choices that can be reversed through collective action by citizens.

“We hold these truths,” the declaration stated, arguing that every individual, regardless of ethnicity, religion or region, possesses the right to life, liberty and self-determination.

The authors maintained that displaced persons across the country should be allowed to return safely to their ancestral homes and receive justice and restitution.

The declaration also stressed that the grievances of different ethnic and regional groups should not be viewed in isolation, insisting that no community holds a monopoly on suffering.

“We do not seek liberty for one people alone, but for all who suffer under injustice,” the document stated, adding that any future political arrangement should be based on freedom, equity, justice, fairness and the rule of law.

One of the central themes of the declaration is self-determination.

The authors argued that the right of people to determine their political future is protected under Nigerian and international law.

The document cited provisions of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and claimed that Kanu’s continued detention and prosecution, alongside restrictions on calls for self-determination, amounted to violations of rights guaranteed under domestic and international legal frameworks.

Kanu and Arnold also criticised what they described as excessive centralisation of political and security powers in Nigeria.

According to them, a highly centralised state has contributed to insecurity, weakened local communities and reduced the ability of regions to protect their people.

The declaration further argued that natural resources should primarily benefit local communities and condemned what it described as the exploitation of resources in areas affected by violence and displacement.

In its latest statement, AVID said the Sokoto Declaration had been formally verified and released through Ejimakor, adding that it was aware of the processes surrounding the document before its release.

AVID described the declaration as a strategic and lawful framework aimed at advancing human rights, self-determination and the protection of oppressed populations.

The group also described Arnold as a friend of Biafrans and an advocate for Nigerian Christians, saying his efforts to expose what it described as targeted violence and support oppressed people had earned its respect.

AVID said attacks against Arnold amounted to attacks on what it described as a strategic alliance with international supporters of the Biafran cause.

The organisation called on Orabueze and her associates to stop what it described as harassment, defamation and targeted attacks against Arnold.

It specifically demanded an end to social media attacks against Arnold, as well as what it described as a campaign of vilification against Kanu’s legal team and family.

AVID further accused Orabueze of presenting herself as “Deputy Prime Minister” of what it described as a non-existent Biafra Government-in-Exile and urged her to stop using the title.

The group also called on her to stop promoting what it described as a “Biafran Referendum” allegedly conducted in Finland, arguing that the exercise lacked international recognition, legal standing and democratic legitimacy.

AVID said the pursuit of self-determination and human rights should be based on truth, sacrifice and strategic alliances rather than what it described as “internet delusions, fraudulent declarations, or the harassment of genuine international allies”.

The group warned that any future harassment or defamation directed at Arnold, Ejimakor or people within Kanu’s circle would be met with what it described as “all lawful actions necessary” to defend its allies and protect the integrity of its cause.

AVID advised Orabueze and her associates to “govern themselves accordingly”.