According to a report by Daily Post on Sunday, May 31, 2026, Mike Arnold, a former mayor in the United States, has stated that self-determination cannot be regarded as a criminal act for any ethnic nationality within Nigeria.
He made the remarks while issuing a statement titled “The Sokoto Declaration: Principles for the Deliverance of the People,” which was circulated to mark Biafra Heroes Remembrance Day observed on Saturday, May 30, 2026.
Arnold used the platform to restate his position on the rights of distinct ethnic groups to determine their political future without coercion.
The declaration was issued in the context of commemorations associated with the Biafra Heroes Remembrance Day, a date observed in honor of individuals linked to the Biafran struggle.
Arnold aligned his message with the occasion, presenting it as part of a broader call for recognition of self-determination claims.
The statement emphasized the political and historical sensitivity surrounding debates on identity, autonomy, and governance within Nigeria’s diverse population.
Arnold, who is the founder and Chairman of Africa Arise International (Nigeria) as well as Africa Arise USA, delivered the message from Blanco, Texas in the United States.
The declaration was transmitted through Biafra Radio, extending its reach to audiences following discussions on the Biafran question and related movements.
His involvement reflects his continued engagement with advocacy platforms connected to African and diaspora political discourse.
In the statement, Arnold described the declaration as a collective appeal directed at various ethnic groups he considers to be under political and social pressure.
He referred to it as a call intended for communities to unite in pursuit of freedom, stressing that it applies broadly across different regions and identities within Nigeria.
His remarks included references to Biafrans, Yoruba, Middle Belt communities, and minority groups in the northern region, all framed within the context of self-determination rights.
He further referenced the situation involving the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, who has faced legal proceedings and imprisonment.
Arnold used this reference to reinforce his position that expressing political views or grievances should not be equated with acts of terrorism.
His statement drew a distinction between advocacy and violent extremism in relation to political expression.
Arnold also addressed Nigerians directly with a message centered on political agency and responsibility.
He stated that reliance on external rescue is misplaced and emphasized that political power is obtained through active effort rather than granted freely.
According to him, populations seeking change must understand the necessity of self-driven action rather than expectation of intervention from outside forces.
He said, “Self-determination is not a crime. Not for Biafra. Not for Yoruba. Not for the Middle Belt. Not for the minorities of the North. Not for any people told by force what flag they must answer to. A free vote is not violence. Speaking truth is not terrorism…..See More
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