By Charles Onyekamuo in Awka
The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has accused the Movement for the Actualisation of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) of betraying the struggle for the actualisation of Biafran.
IPOB’s spokespersons, Emma Nmezu and Clifford Iwanya, alleged yesterday in a statement that MASSOB had derailed and betrayed Biafra’s struggle.
The IPOB said MASSOB had been betraying the struggle by its detailed leader, Nnamdi Kanu, who it described as a patriotic Biafran freedom fighter, who could not sabotage Biafra like Chief Raph Uwazuruike.
The IPOB alleged that MASSOB chickened out of the struggle and betrayed the actualisation of Biafra when it mattered most.
But in a statement signed by MASSOB’s National Director of Information, Samuel Edeson, and made available to journalists in Awka yesterday, the group said the IPOB was blackmailing its image.
According to MASSOB, what IPOB was referring to was Ralph Uwazuruike’s betrayal and sabotage of the Biafra struggle and should hold him responsible as a saboteur but not MASSOB as an organisation.
“Uwazuruike’s deviation from Biafra struggle is the primary reason MASSOB expelled and chased him out of MASSOB headquarters, Okwe since 2014.
“MASSOB now under the leadership of Comrade Uchenna Madu continues with Biafran struggle untainted, unblemished and unstained, highly energized with Biafra spirit of consistency and self determination.”
According to the group, “After his expulsion from MASSOB, Uwazuruike formed another group called Biafra Independent Movement (BIM). We advice that IPOB should attach or associate BIM with Uwazuruike not MASSOB.
“We shall continue unrelentingly in pursuit of Biafra actualization and restoration through non-violence and also shall continue to partner with other Biafran groups dedicated and committed to Biafra,” the statement said.
