Enugu, Nigeria – February 24, 2026 — The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), through its Media and Publicity Secretary, Comrade Emma Powerful, has released an official letter of appreciation to the State of Georgia, United States of America, expressing profound gratitude for the conferment of the prestigious Honorary Citizen of Georgia Award on the group’s detained leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
Dated February 24, 2026, the letter was made public via IPOB’s verified communication channels and social media platforms, including X (formerly Twitter), where it quickly gained widespread attention among supporters of the Biafran self-determination movement. The document formally acknowledges the role played by Honorable Congressman Gabe Okoye of Georgia in facilitating the recognition, describing the honour as a “symbolic gesture of goodwill” and a historic milestone for the Biafran cause.
The letter, addressed broadly to the citizens and officials of Georgia, opens with a clear statement of purpose:
“On behalf of our Leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, and members of the Biafran nation worldwide, we hereby express our profound appreciation to the Honorable Congressman Gabe Okoye of the State of Georgia, United States of America, for his instrumental role in securing the prestigious Honorary Citizen of Georgia Award in recognition of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.”
It goes on to explain the significance of the award, noting that it represents official acknowledgment of Kanu’s contributions to “public discourse, cultural engagement, humanitarian advocacy, and global awareness.” IPOB emphasized that the designation of Honorary Citizen is a rare distinction in the United States, traditionally reserved for individuals whose influence transcends national borders.
According to the statement, historical records show that only a limited number of foreign nationals have received this form of recognition from any U.S. state since 1963. In many instances, such honours have been conferred posthumously. Among the notable living recipients cited in the letter are Sir Winston Churchill of Great Britain and Mother Teresa of Calcutta. The inclusion of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu among this select group, the letter asserts, “underscores the significance attributed to this recognition.”
IPOB further described the award as a “meaningful milestone” for Kanu personally and for the broader Biafran movement. The group expressed deep appreciation not only to Congressman Gabe Okoye but also to:
The Office of the Secretary of State of Georgia, Mr. Brad Raffensperger
The Governor of the State of Georgia
The citizens of Georgia as a whole
The letter concludes with a formal expression of respect and gratitude:
“Please accept our respectful appreciation for this act of goodwill and acknowledgment. With respect and gratitude.”
Signed by Comrade Emma Powerful in his capacity as Spokesperson and Media/Publicity Secretary for IPOB, the letter ends with the movement’s longstanding hashtags: #FreeMaziNnamdiKanu and #FreeMaziNnamdiKanuNow.
The announcement has generated significant online discussion, particularly among supporters of IPOB and the broader Biafran self-determination campaign. Many described the honour as a major diplomatic and symbolic victory, especially given Kanu’s continued detention by Nigerian authorities since his rendition from Kenya in June 2021. Others viewed the gesture as international validation of Kanu’s advocacy for Biafran rights and his role in raising global awareness about alleged marginalisation of the Igbo ethnic group in Nigeria.
Congressman Gabe Okoye, a Nigerian-American lawmaker representing parts of the Atlanta metropolitan area, has not yet issued a public comment on the letter or the conferment process. However, sources within Georgia’s political circles confirmed that the Honorary Citizen resolution was passed unanimously by the Georgia General Assembly earlier this month, following advocacy efforts led by Okoye and members of the state’s Nigerian diaspora community.
The Georgia Secretary of State’s Office, led by Mr. Brad Raffensperger, has also remained silent on the matter at the time of this report. State-level honorary citizenship awards in the United States are largely ceremonial and carry no legal or immigration benefits, but they are often used to recognise individuals of international stature or those who have made significant contributions to cultural, humanitarian, or public discourse arenas.
Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, leader of IPOB, remains in the custody of Nigeria’s Department of State Services (DSS) awaiting trial on charges that include treasonable felony, terrorism financing, and incitement. His legal team has repeatedly challenged the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court in Abuja and accused the Nigerian government of violating international extradition protocols during his 2021 return from Kenya.
IPOB insists that Kanu’s advocacy is non-violent and focused on achieving self-determination for the people of Biafra through peaceful, democratic means, including a referendum. The group has consistently denied allegations of involvement in violence, attributing attacks in the Southeast to criminal elements and state-sponsored actors.
The Honorary Citizen recognition from Georgia has been welcomed by IPOB members worldwide as a morale boost and a sign of growing international sympathy for their cause. Supporters have shared the letter widely across social media platforms, framing it as evidence that Kanu’s message continues to resonate beyond Nigeria’s borders despite his incarceration.
No immediate reaction has been issued by the Nigerian federal government, the Presidency, or the Department of State Services regarding the Georgia honour or IPOB’s appreciation letter.
As the 2027 general election cycle draws closer in Nigeria, developments surrounding Nnamdi Kanu and the Biafran movement remain closely watched both domestically and within the diaspora. The symbolic gesture from the State of Georgia adds another layer to the complex interplay of local politics, international advocacy, and the ongoing quest for self-determination in Southeast Nigeria.
