The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Uchenna Madu

  • MASSOB commends Afenifere’s role in dousing post-election tensions

    Pro-Biafran group, the Movement for Actualization of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) on has commended a pan Yoruba group, Afenifere for the role it played in dousing tensions in Lagos during and after the Presidential elections.

    The group also called on people of south east to come out en-mass and vote for candidates of their choice in Saturday’s governorship elections.

    The group urged Ndigbo not to succumb to any threat or intimidation by anyone or any part of the country for the governorship elections but to massively vote for candidates of their choice during the elections.

    In a statement issued in Abakaliki by its leader, Comrade Uchenna Madu, MASSOB said it will on Thursday unveil its governorship candidates irrespective of political platform or party and that the candidates will have its massive votes in the Saturday elections.

    It urged Ndigbo in Lagos to troop out enmass and cast their votes for candidates of their choice without fear of intimidation and harassment.

    He further alleged that some politicians in the state were intimidating the Igbo in the area over the governorship election.

    Read Also: ‘MASSOB’s threat can’t stop me’

    The statement reads; “Biafran citizens living in different parts of Nigeria are encouraged to keep exercising their right to vote especially at the coming governorship elections on the 9th of March 2019 both in Biafraland and in Lagos, a state where we have contributed immensely to its development. Biafrans cannot be intimidated by any one. We encourage our people to go out on the said date and cast their votes. We also encourage our people to be ready for any eventuality. Once bitten, twice shy.

    MASSOB will on Thursday unveil gubernatorial candidates’ irrespective of political platform or political party that are Igbo oriented in both in Igbo land and in Lagos state. They will indisputably have the massive votes and support of Ndigbo on Saturday’s gubernatorial elections.

    “One good thing the last presidential election has brought home to Biafrans worldwide is that despite the machination of our detractors, the Biafran world speaks with one voice as clearly shown in the total and utter rejection of a band of marauders and killers with their armed herdsmen intent on snuffing the very life out of Biafrans.

    “Through the votes of every Biafran living in occupied Biafraland and beyond, the verdict came out loud and clear that we reject a blood sucking, bloodletting regime including their hired minions and saboteurs in Biafraland. A thousand Python dance, crude intimidation and outright bribery has not and will not shake our faith in our quest to exit Nigeria.

    “We know those who have joined forces with our enemies to openly declare war on us on our land in the name of elections. We are taking serious note also of all those who have conspired to kill and in the recent case deny Biafrans the right to vote in the areas they are domiciled outside Biafraland. Biafrans world over vote in all the lands they find themselves both in Africa and beyond and their votes are always respected.

    “We appreciate the efforts of Afenifere to douse the tension created by some of their lost sons. We are watching the security agencies keenly as they continue protecting criminals who now steal with bullion vans while intimidating nonviolent Biafrans in Nigeria”.

  • Division in MASSOB over Biafra independence day celebration

    Division in MASSOB over Biafra independence day celebration

    The Uchenna Madu-led Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) has disowned today’s Biafra celebration announced by the Ralph Uwazuruike-led faction.

    The Madu-led group said it was wrong to celebrate Biafra independence on May 22, when the still-born republic was declared on May 30, 1967, adding that it has completed arrangements for its celebration on May 30.

    A statement by Madu reads: “The leadership of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign state of Biafra (MASSOB) has reiterated its solemn oath for the actualisation and restoration of an independent Republic of Biafra.

    We reassure the people of Biafra that the actualisation and restoration of Biafra is sacrosanct and sacred. Every aspect of Biafra struggle must abhor deceit, self-glorification, tribal/religious sentiments, and love for mundane things.”MASSOB declares full and total support for the sit at home on May 30, to honour our gallant Biafra soldiers and civilians who sacrificed their lives for us.

    “MASSOB declares full and total support for the sit at home on May 30, to honour our gallant Biafra soldiers and civilians who sacrificed their lives for us.

    “We must continue to remember, honour and celebrate the gallantry and bravado of the Biafra soldiers, whom the world was astonished for their military exploits during the Nigeria/ Biafra war. Their bravery, military excellence, consistency, technological exploits and intelligences can never be forgotten or silenced.

    “MASSOB wishes to inform the people that we don’t have any Biafra anniversary program today; our anniversary is on May 30, which is Biafra day.

    “The sit at home calls for sober reflection on the way forward; it calls for individual and family prayers for speedy actualisation and restoration of Biafra. It will also reflect on building synergy and cohesion among the pro-Biafra groups in preparation for the coming referendum.

    “We also reiterate our earlier position that we are not attached to any group called Biafra Independent Movement (BIM). MASSOB is not BIM and BIM can never be MASSOB. MASSOB collaborates and works with other genuine pro-Biafra groups like IPOB, Lower Niger Congress, Eastern Peoples Congress, Biafra Peoples National Council, Joint Revolutionary Council and AFRA Descendants.”

  • Nnamdi Kanu’s release excites MASSOB

    Nnamdi Kanu’s release excites MASSOB

    The Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign state of Biafra (MASSOB) has expressed gladness over the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) from Prison.

    MASSOB leader, Uchenna Madu in statement said: “We rejoice with millions of Biafrans all over the world, it is a stepping progress towards Biafra actualization and restoration. It is a triumph of light over darkness.”

    According to MASSOB, his release has opened a new dimension to Biafra struggle  which must continue to be anchored on non-violence, mutual understanding and unity of purpose.

    “As Nnamdi Kanu regained freedom, MASSOB will continue with other progressive groups and individuals to press further for the release of other pro Biafra detainees across Nigeria prisons.

    “MASSOB as the most prominent pro Biafra group that supports Mazi Nnamdi Kanu believes that there are credible Igbo senators and Jewish religious leaders who can stand for Nnamdi Kanu. Standing for Nnamdi Kanu means standing for Ndigbo because we still have credible senators which have been proved by Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe who can never be intimidated or subjected to cowardice because of the conditions of the bail granted to Nnamdi Kanu.

    “MASSOB did not shake or entertain fears or jittery over the stringent bail conditions granted to Nnamdi Kanu because we know that the people of Biafra are capable of dismounting  any confrontational strongholds against the actualization and restoration of Biafra.

    The bail conditions established against Mazi Nnamdi Kanu by the Federal government of Nigeria is a soft landing subtly given to themselves to ease their shame.

    “MASSOB salutes and hails the oneness of unifying forces of Igbo senators led by Ike Ekweremadu and Enyinnaya Abaribe with the backup of Igbo governors and other prominent Nigerians in their swift response in perfecting the bail conditions of our brother, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu. If such brotherhood tempo continues, Ndigbo will achieve any height in Nigeria without much difficulties,” concluded the statement.

     

  • Nnamdi Kanu: No plans to invade court – MASSOB

    Nnamdi Kanu: No plans to invade court – MASSOB

    The Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) faction led by Uchenna Madu has denied the allegation by the Department of State Service (DSS) that some Biafra agitators plan to invade the Court and forcefully free their leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.
    Madu said that both Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and MASSOB have no plans to invade any court in the country during the façade trail of Kanu with the intention to free their leader.

    MASSOB in a statement issued by the factional leader, Comrade Madu described the allegation as ‘rattling of a confused and drowning people’, as the two groups are non violent in any form.

    The statement reads, “How can a non-violence and armless organization like IPOB and MASSOB invade a courtroom located on the 3rd floor of the Federal High Court surrounded by heavily armed combine team of
    Nigeria security agents and modern technological security gadgets.

    “MASSOB and IPOB have no such intention, plan or agenda as we know that Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and others committed no offence against Nigeria.

    “We depend and focus on the divine justice of God (as) Nnamdi Kanu’s arrest and detention has revived the conscientiousness of Biafra to a higher dimension which can never be quenched.

    “The insistence of the Federal Government to hide the identity of their witnesses against Nnamdi Kanu and others is a sign of cowardice and unsteadiness.

    “They have no genuine witnesses now because the contracted ones have been exposed. It remains only the staff of DSS who will appear with Igbo names to create negative impression that Ndigbo are against
    Nnamdi Kanu.

    “FG has shot itself on the leg. For a soft landing, MASSOB advises President Buhari to immediately reach the principal Igbo leaders the Federal Government delegation led by the Director of Military Intelligence (DMI) met, with some representatives of IPOB and MASSOB on 22nd of December 2015 at Enugu, and release Nnamdi Kanu to them.

    “The continued detention of Nnamdi Kanu will bring more devastating diplomatic doom for Nigeria. Biafrans are ready for the trial.”

  • Trial of MASSOB 22 stalled

    The Federal High Court in Awka, Anambra, on Wednesday failed to entertain the case involving 22 members of the Movement for the Actualization of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) due to the absence of the trial judge, Justice M. L. Abubarka.

    However, a new date was given to counsel to the MASSOB members, Emeka Meze.

    The court will now hear the case on November 27.

    Al though no reason was given for the judge’s absence, the MASSOB members have been sent back to the Awka and Onitsha prisons.

    The accused persons were arrested by security agencies seven years ago and arraigned in court for alleged treasonable felony.

    After the court session on Wednesday, the Director of information for MASOB, Uchenna Madu, said keeping the members in prison all these years was enough punishment for a non violent group.

    “In the spirit of late Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, we appeal to the leadership of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) to intervene in the matter.

    “We urge Governor Willie Obiano as part of Ojukwu’s political family to extend the love to our brothers who have suffered unjustly in Awka and Onitsha prisons.

    “MASSOB lament the unhealthy condition of our brothers and sisters who have been abandoned for more than seven years, Governor Obiano should extend his rehabilitation and re-orientation of Igbo youth in Anambra State to these people,” Madu said.