SIR: The reported cases of how thousands of Igbo’s who applied for the biafran passport were ripped off their money should be an eye opener. It was alleged that the Movement for the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) generated over N500 million from the sale of the passport alone. The victims of the scam were made to pay N10,000 each for a passport that could take them nowhere.
Those involved in the ‘mass deception’ claimed that they were assured by Chief Ralph Uwazuruike, their leader, that there would be no hindrance or security encumbrances traveling with the Biafran passport, but contrary to Uwazuruike’s assurance, his wife and four children are overseas and none of them travelled with the Biafran passport.
It is evident that the Biafra passport initiative is just another avenue to exploit and defraud the members of MASSOB.
This is a lesson for the Igbos agitating for self determination; they should know that their leaders are not after their interest, but after only what they stand to gain. If the Igbos were eventually granted their sovereign state of Biafra, is this the kind of leader they hope to get? , One who is not transparent, trustworthy, and honest with his people?
Let us quickly recall the launching of MASSOB plate numbers in Nsukka area of Enugu. MASSOB members who purchased the number plate were clamped into detention for several months for using the MASSOB plate as recommended by Uwazuruike, and report has it that there was never a compensation or refund for damages incurred by the users and buyers.
- Edwin Ovie Eriye,
Lagos.