The Movement for the Actualization of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) has warned politicians against playing cheap politics with pro-Biafra groups.
It also said it will stop at nothing in resisting any person or group of persons, who would want to drag its name or image to the mud.
This came as the group lambasted Senior Special Adviser to the Governor of Anambra State on Political Matters, Comrade Arinze Awogu, on his press statement that MASSOB and other pro-Biafra groups deliberated on the November 18 governorship election in Anambra State as published in newspapers.
In a statement issued in Abakaliki, National Secretary of MASSOB, Comrade Ugwuoke Ibem Ugwuoke, said the group was shocked to see its name being dragged to the mud and warned that people should not take its simplicity and respect for granted.
The statement reads in part: “Though MASSOB is not against the government of Anambra State under Governor Willie Obiano or any other governor in South-East states, we advise that people should stop playing cheap politics with pro-Biafra groups. The non violence struggle for the actualization and restoration of Biafra is more paramount to MASSOB now.
“Arinze Awogu, SSA on Political Matters, as a pioneer member of leadership of MASSOB and other Biafra movements when this current non-violence struggle started in September 1999 demanded for an interaction with his fellow comrades.
“With the respect bestowed on him as a pioneer comrade, his appeal to interact with pro Biafra groups was granted.
“The issue of Anambra election was not discussed. Though Arinze Awogu raised it, the leadership of the pro-Biafra groups present at the interactive meeting told Arinze Awogu that we can’t discuss Anambra election now because October 1 deadline of Arewa youths quit notice to the people of Biafra residing in Arewa land raised more concerns to us than Anambra governorship election which is an internal matter.
“We insisted that Anambra election is secondary compared to the quit notice to Ndigbo. residing in Arewa land who are being deceived by their selfish and insensitive leaders that are recklessly assuring them of safety in Arewa land.
“We also told Arinze Awogu that the most important issue to be discussed and match with action is the expiration of the quit notice order to our people not Anambra governorship election which shall be later discussed after much due consultation with its effects on the Biafra struggle with other stakeholders of the Biafra struggle; we also advised him that the next meeting will involve Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, IPOB leader (Biafra leader) though he has declared that there will be no election in Anambra state.
“Though MASSOB is not against the government of Anambra state under Governor Willy Obiano or any other governor in Southeast State, we advise that people should stop playing cheap politics with Pro Biafra groups. The non-violent struggle for the actualization and restoration of Biafra is more paramount to MASSOB now.
“We are more worried that major Igbo leaders have consciously and willingly sold our people residing in Arewa land for blood sacrifice because of their personal and group interest.”
