The Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB, has raised an alarm, over alleged deadly tactics deployed by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to disenfranchise the South-East region, using the on-going voters’ registration exercise.
MASSOB, raised this claim in a statement signed by its National Secretary, Mr Ugwuoke Ibem Ugwuoke, on Thursday, which was made available to Post-Nigeria.
The separatist group has therefore, warned that the alleged activities of INEC officials in the South-East, could lead it not to support the conduct of 2019 general elections, in the region.
Recall, that thousands of residents of Onitsha, Anambra State, who came out to register for the ongoing voters registration exercise, on Wednesday, reportedly returned home disappointed, following insufficient machines and manpower.
In Onitsha North and South Council Areas for instance, it was learnt that only one machine each was provided by INEC, to register the over 4,000 people who came out to register in each of the Council Areas.
This situation it was learnt, made many people not to be registered, in spite of the two days public holiday, which Governor Willie Obiano declared, to allow people participate in the exercise in the State.
Reacting, MASSOB said: “MASSOB raises grave concerns over the on-going voters registration exercise in Igboland, where Ndigbo are being frustrated and disenfranchised by the staff of INEC.
“This activity of INEC officials, is one of the major reasons why MASSOB may not support the conduct of general elections of 2019, in Biafraland.
“Reports gathered by MASSOB intelligence, proved that INEC has started the process of rigging and doctoring the incoming elections, to favour the interest of Hausa-Fulani.
“Last week at Aguata, MASSOB witnessed indiscriminate acts of INEC officials, at a remote location in Ekwuluobia.
“MASSOB saw a lot of young people hanging around, but they were not registering. We were informed that INEC said they can’t register, because they were 18 years at the point of the last registration, in 2014, but they did not register.
“MASSOB sees this condition as a smooth way to disenfranchise the people of Eastern region, in the coming elections.”
