From Joshua Chibuzo Andrew
The Apex Youths Group in the Southeast Nigeria, Ohanaeze Youth Council (OYC) has announced a total shutdown of all Igbo-owned shops, markets, companies, and businesses across Nigeria on Monday, October 20, 2025, in solidarity with the peaceful protest march to Aso Rock being led by Omoyele Sowore.
The demonstration seeks to demand the immediate and unconditional release of IPOB leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
The directive was contained in a statement issued on Tuesday by the National President of OYC, Comrade Igboayaka O. Igboayaka, who described the planned shutdown as “a moral and patriotic duty, a peaceful declaration that the Igbo nation stands firmly with truth, justice, and the rule of law.”
“We cannot continue business as usual while a son of Igboland remains unjustly detained against multiple subsisting court judgments ordering his release,” the OYC President stated.
According to the statement obtained by newsmen, the action covers “all Igbo shops, markets, business outlets, companies, and transport operations across Nigeria.”
The Council directed that “all Igbos resident and visiting Abuja are to join the Sowore-led peaceful protest march to Aso Rock, maintaining discipline, decorum, and the spirit of peaceful solidarity.”
It added that “in all other states of the Federation, all Igbo traders, transporters, artisans, and business operators are to close their shops, markets, and offices completely throughout the duration of the protest.”
Market and union leaders were instructed to “ensure full compliance and strict observance of this directive in their respective areas.”
The group also appealed to the security agencies to show professionalism and neutrality during the demonstration.
“We appeal to Nigeria Police, Civil Defense, Fire Service and Nigeria Red Cross to be on ground to engage in their official responsibility as citizens of the Federal Republic of Nigeria demonstrate their civil rights/fundamental rights,” the statement read.
OYC emphasized that the action is purely non-violent and aimed at showing unity and conscience.
“This action is a non-violent expression of unity and conscience. It is not a rebellion but a moral statement of truth that the detention of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu has become an emblem of ethnic injustice and political persecution against Ndigbo and the rest of other marginalized tribes,” the statement said.
The group accused the federal government of bias and selective justice.
“While known terrorists and bandits in the North are granted amnesty, protected, or negotiated with, the continuous incarceration of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu who merely exercised his right to free speech is an insult to justice and the Nigerian Constitution,” the group said.
The OYC declared that “by this national shutdown, the Igbo nation declares: ‘An injury to one of us is an injury to all.’”
In its message to the Federal Government, the OYC said, “The Ohanaeze Youth Council (OYC), the Apex sociocultural youth organization of Igbo youths worldwide, calls upon the Federal Government of Nigeria to immediately obey all court orders and release Mazi Nnamdi Kanu without delay.”
It warned that “the government’s continued disobedience to judicial pronouncements undermines democracy and widens the cracks of national unity.”
“Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s freedom is not just an Igbo issue, it is a litmus test for Nigeria’s justice system and the nation’s commitment to equality before the law,” the Council added.
OYC called on all Igbo people across the country to unite in one voice and observe the total shutdown.
“Let every son and daughter of Igboland, from Aba to Kano, Onitsha to Lagos, Enugu to Jos, Port Harcourt to Abuja, stand as one family. Let every Igbo market, office, companies and business center fall silent in dignified solidarity on 20th October 2025,” the statement urged.
“Let the world witness our unity. Let the Federal Government hear our voice. Let justice be done for Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.”
