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From Geoffrey Anyanwu, Awka
Founder of the Movement for the Actualisation of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) and Biafra Independence Movement (BIM), Chief Ralph Uwazuruike has said his groups no longer recognise Chief John Nnia Nwodo as the leader of Ohanaeze Ndigbo.
Speaking to newsmen in Awka,, Uwazuruike said their action was necessitated by Nwodo’s Tuesday meeting with MASSOB leader, Comrade Uchenna Madu, whom he (Uwazuruike) claimed was expelled from MASSOB.
“It was a deliberate move by Nwodo to spite my person, as the leader and founder of MASSOB/BIM. That was why he (Nwodo) invited one Uchenna Madu to a meeting, in Enugu, yesterday, knowing very well that Madu had been expelled from MASSOB.
“Nwodo is fully aware of his intentions; knowing very well that the Madu is no longer a MASSOB member and he invited him for a meeting as MASSOB leader, when the said Madu does not have executive members or followership.
“For this singular action, members of MASSOB/BIM across the whole world, of which I am the leader, have, from August 30, 2017, denounced John Nnia Nwodo as the leader of Ohanaeze,” said Uwazuruike.
But, in a swift reaction, Nwodo said Uwazuruike spoke out of ignorance as none of the seven pro-Biafra groups which attended the Ohanaeze meeting was officially invited just as his position as Ohanaeze president barred him from occupying any political position.
“There were seven pro-Biafra groups that attended Ohanaeze meeting on Tuesday, August 29, 2017 in Enugu, none of these groups, including Uchenna Madu was officially invited for the meeting.
“They all came on their own and after their presentations, the leadership of Ohanaeze advised them to be peaceful and law-abiding in their actions and dealings.
“It is out of ignorance that one will accuse a chairman of Ohanaeze of eyeing a political position using the Ohanaeze platform.
“The Ohanaeze constitution is clear that, as the chairman, you cannot hold political position.”
Regardless, Uwazuruike told newsmen that he sent an SMS to Nwodo on the position of his pro-Biafra groups yesterday morning and that Nwodo replied him and said “congratulations and thank you.”
Sounding very angry, Uwazuruike accused Nwodo of using Ohanaeze platform to project himself as a Vice Presidential candidate of a political party from Igboland extraction in the next general election and challenged him and Madu to organise a rally for the public to see Madu’s strength and followership in the pro-Biafra struggle. He further said that “on September 13, 2017, MASSOB and BIM members, under my leadership will hold a mega rally in Onitsha in support of the November 18, 2017 governorship election in Anambra, to reassure the people that the threat of ‘no election in Anambra’ is very hollow.
“We equally want Nwodo tell Uchenna Madu and his group to hold similar rally to showcase their strength for the world to see those against the Anambra governorship election from holding.”
He stressed that Madu’s gambit was to hide behind people to talk saying, “It was because of such lifestyle that made me leave the Okwe, the former headquarters of MASSOB for Madu and he was unable to maintain it and he eventually abandoned the place and ran away.” Also reacting, MASSOB described Uwazuruike as one who is jittery and frustrated, and stressed that he was expelled from MASSOB on November 30, 2015 at Okwe.
In a statement by MASSOB National Director of Information, Comrade Samuel Edeson, the group said “Uwazurike’s reaction against our leader’s parley with the leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo is a sign of jitters and frustration. “Uwazuruike should focus on his BIM movement as he remained expelled from MASSOB.
“MASSOB, under the leadership of Madu, has overgrown this level of internal rancor and unjustified jealousy.
