Factional leader of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB, Chief Ralph Uwazuruike, has announced plans to set up a parallel government in the South-east and South-south.
Subsequently, elections will be conducted into wards, provinces, districts, regions and zones of the South-east and South-south, which he said are Biafra territories, on February 22.
Speaking during the presentation of the 2016 Biafra Budget at the Ojukwu Memorial library, Uwazuruike announced the appointment of Rev. Fr Samuel Aniebonam, a Catholic Priest, as the Chairman of the Biafra Independent National Electoral Commission (B-INEC).
He said: “In line with our principle of non-violence towards establishing a sovereign control over the territorial boarders of the New Biafra, a Catholic Priest, Rev. Fr. Samuel Aniebonam has been appointed the Chairman of Biafra Independent National Electoral Commission, (B-INEC).
“The Chairman, with other anointed men and women of God as members, will supervise the internal election into the offices of the new Biafra Government on February 22”.
The MASSOB leader said the election will be by open ballot, popularly known as Option A4.
“Our election will not be like Nigeria’s election, it will be a transparent one. In Biafra, there won’t be electoral fraud. The tenure of the elected Regional Governor or Minister would be four years and nine months. There shall be no second tenure.
“Once you are defeated, you won’t appeal in a tribunal against your opponent. This is why members of the commission would be men and women of God”.
Confirming the move to set up parallel government, MASSOB’s National Director of Information, Sunny Okereafor, said the elections is in line with democratic ideals and international best practices, which Biafra was founded on, and where citizens would find satisfaction.
He, however, explained that only members of MASSOB and its parent body, the Biafra Independence Movement, BIM, are qualified to vote and be voted for in the election.
“The electioneering has begun; we are conducting elections into all offices from wards to the zones, to elect leaders to administer Biafra. We are going to show Nigeria how to conduct free and fair elections without rigging, intimidation and favouritism.
“Biafra will be a country where others would come to learn how democracy works. We have already set standards. Our non-violent approach is legendary and we have received several commendations for it. We want freedom; Biafra is the answer”, Okereafor said.
He also said soon as the elections were concluded and winners sworn in, Biafra would re-introduce its legal tender, the pounds.
