South-Easterners in U.S. Plan Mass Protest in Washington to Oppose Tinubu’s Delegation and Back Trump’s Stand on Nigeria

South-Easterners in the United States are mobilising for a large-scale protest in Washington, D.C., aimed at opposing the visit of a Nigerian government delegation reportedly traveling to America to “polish Nigeria’s image.”

In a statement issued Monday by Comrade Emma Powerful, media and publicity secretary of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), the group announced that the demonstration would be peaceful but “unmistakably powerful.” IPOB accused President Bola Tinubu’s administration of attempting to mislead the international community into believing Nigeria enjoys peace, justice, and religious freedom while, according to them, the country faces ethnic and religious violence.

“A high-level Nigerian delegation is heading to the United States to deceive world leaders into believing that peace and justice exist in Nigeria. They want to cover the blood,” the group said, vowing that protesters would not allow the government to “rewrite the narrative while the victims are still bleeding.”

The coalition stated that the protest would “raise our voices with thunder in the capital of the free world” and expressed solidarity with President Donald Trump’s stance against what he described as “ethno-religious genocide in Nigeria.”

Powerful referenced IPOB leader Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, saying he had long warned of “a jihadist expansion 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,” he said.

The statement listed regions allegedly affected by violence and displacement, 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.” IPOB urged Biafrans, Judeo-Christians, Yoruba Nation supporters, Middle Belt groups, and all Indigenous peoples in the diaspora to join the protest, stressing that it would be entirely peaceful.

“This is a call for a mass, peaceful, unstoppable display of conscience. Bring your voice, bring your flag, bring your courage,” the group said, adding that details of the date, time, and location would be announced soon.

Comrade Powerful concluded, “No diplomatic lies can cover mass graves. No lobbying can erase the tears of widows and orphans. No propaganda can bury the truth forever.”

Meanwhile, President Donald Trump recently restated his position on the alleged persecution of Christians in Nigeria, declaring the country a “Country of Particular Concern.” In a post on Truth Social, he said, “Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria. Thousands of Christians are being killed. Radical Islamists are responsible for this mass slaughter.” He warned that if the Nigerian government continues to “allow the killing of Christians,” the United States could end all aid to Nigeria and consider military action to “wipe out the Islamic terrorists.”

The Nigerian government has rejected allegations of genocide, with President Tinubu insisting that Nigeria’s constitution guarantees freedom of religion and that his administration remains committed to equality for all faiths. “Our administration has maintained open engagement with both Christian and Muslim leaders and continues to address security challenges affecting all citizens,” Tinubu said, dismissing claims of religious persecution as misrepresentations of the nation’s complex realities.