The Movement for the Actualization of Sovereign States of Biafra (MASSOB), has said that contrary to insinuations in certain quarters that the founder of the movement, Chief Ralph Uwazurike, cancelled the proposed election for fear of being arrested, that the election was postponed due to inadequate preparations.
Uwazurike had earlier scheduled elections to set up structures for the administration of the Biafran territory and appointed a catholic priest, Rev. Fr. Samuel Aniebonam, as the Chairman of the Biafran Independent Electoral Commission, B-INEC. However, Rev. Fr. Aniebonam was reported to have declined the appointment.
The new leader of MASSOB, Solomon Chukwu, who made the clarification through the national director of Information of the Organization, Sunny Okereafor, denied reports credited to the Uchenna Madu faction of MASSOB that the elections were put off by Uwazuruike for fear of arrest by security agents who had it that he (Uwazurike) was reneging on an agreement he allegedly signed with the federal government to abandon the struggle for the actualization of an independent state of Biafra.
The MASSOB leader insisted that Uwazurike did not sign any deal with the federal government including its security agencies over Biafran secession.
According to him, “Our overall leader, Chief Ralph Uwazurike, didn’t sign any deal with the federal government or its agencies to stop actualization of Biafra. These are lies from the pit of hell being spread by expelled members like Uchenna Madu and his faction who have continued to sabotage Biafra.
“Uwazurike is not afraid of arrest or detention; the last time he was invited by the Police, he went with mattress, slippers and other personal effects to the Imo state Police Command and even the Zone 9 Police headquarters at Umuahia. The Police told him that they knew him as a non violent person and that he should go home.
He stated that MASSOB under Uwazuruike has held several activities in the last two years without being harassed or invited by security agencies and insisted that the Biafra elections which he claimed would be held soon, won’t be an exception.
“Over the years, we have been celebrating Ojukwu Day every November 26, holding monthly prayer sessions and other important activities. So, if he signed any deal to abandon the Bifra struggle, why have the security agencies who must be aware of such agreements if it existed, not invited or come to his residence at Ojukwu Memorial Library to arrest him? This tells you that all Uchenna Madu is taking is balderdash.”
On the allegation that Uwazuruike has compromised the Biafra struggle, Chukwu said, “I cannot see how anybody can turn around to accuse Uwazuruike of compromising the Biafra struggle when in fact he has sacrificed a lot in the interest of Biafra.” (Daily Sun)
