Follow Us on Google
From Stanley Uzoaru, Owerri
Chief Ralf Uwazuruike, founder of the Biafra Independent Movement and the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (BIM-MASSOB), has expressed disappointment and anger over some pro-Biafra groups resorting to violence in pursuit of Biafra actualisation.
Speaking to our correspondent in Owerri, Uwazuruike lamented that external forces have hijacked the struggle, introducing violence contrary to his non-violent approach. “I started MASSOB in 1999, conceptualized as a peaceful movement, but some people hijacked it, bringing in violence,” he said.
Uwazuruike alleged that some European-based sponsors are funding instability in the South East, having failed to achieve Biafra through violence. He distanced MASSOB from violent activities, emphasizing the group’s commitment to non-violence and non-exodus principles.
The Biafra agitator called for peace in Igbo land, urging Igbo people to remain peaceful and pursue their businesses without resorting to violence. He also appealed for the release of detained individuals, citing his non-violent stance.
“I started it as a lawyer when I was more than ten years at the bar I didn’t start the struggle as an applicant but along the line some people hijacked it ,they hijacked something they know nothing about and brought in violence saying that nobody gets independence through non violence,that Uwazuruike is a saboteur .
Other News
“They introduced violence and I shouted that this violence they have introduced would be problematic . They had their sponsors at a point the World Igbo Congress started sponsoring them, providing funds for them ,I was shouting then ,who didn’t hear me in Igbo land they called me a saboteur their notion that the Fulanis has conquered South East that they were in our bushes.
“Today all the sponsors in the South East has ganged up because they have seen that the violence they perpetrated could not yield anything ,they stay in America and other parts of Europe sponsoring instability in the South East because they could not achieve Biafra through violence they now turned against Uwazuruike .
“Simply because you have failed you want to criticize Uwazuruike,all offices we used from 1999 we’re my houses I bought before the struggle nobody would allow you to use his premises as MASSOB office or for Biafra agitation. The first radio Biafra I had was in Washington DC ,I was sponsoring it from Nigeria,in 2009 I went to London to form another radio Biafra which they hijacked and turned it to machine to propagate violence.
“You people failed and started pretending as if you’re not part of the people instigating violence in South East . I’m not a coward like you people,I came up to support him because at one point he was my follower but he deviated and followed violence he preached that freedom could not be achieved through non violence and I warned him, notwitstanding I still seek his release because I still see him as my boy I can’t betray him like you people .
“Many of you people who ganged up against him were people supporting him openely , contributing money but today you’re against him because he’s in . They’re in Europe sowing seeds of discord in Igbo land ,do you know the effort I’ve made for peace in Igbo land ,have you heard any of my members involved in kidnap or armed robbery,they said I’ve come out again because IPOB has gone down .
“I have nothing against the Federal Government and they know,I said it’s against our principle that we can’t get Biafra if the federal government does not agree with us . Telling Igbo to come back is against our principle, wherever you are as an Igbo man stay there peacefully and go about your normal businesses , that’s the non exodus in our principle “Non violence non exodus” no MASSOB member can support violence”. Uwazuruike said.
