Tension In South East As MASSOB Vows To Stop Ofala, New Yam Festivals

By Anayo Okoli & Francis Igata ENUGU—
The Movement for the Actualization of Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB, yesterday,warned traditional rulers in the south-east geopolitical zone to henceforth, jettison the idea of ofala celebrations and new yam festivals following their inability to demand the release of detained Radio Biafra Director, Nnamdi Kanu and other pro-Biafran agitators who have been detained since October 10, last year.
MASSOB also revealed that it will call for a revolution in all Igbo communities if by December, Nnamdi Kanu was not released, adding that Ndigbo will not celebrate Christmas with Kanu still in detention.
The pro-Biafra group said the traditional rulers lost relevance when they failed to speak up for the release of their subjects in detention which includes; Chidiebere Onwudiwe, Benjamin Madubugwu, David Nwawuisi, Innocent Orji, Sabastine Amadi and Benjamin Onwuka in prisons across the country.
It equally took a swipe at Igbo elites, religious leaders, politicians among others who they have labeled as insensitive to the Biafra struggle, wondering when Igbo will get personalities like; Senator Ali Ndume (Senate leader); Sultan of Sokoto and Emir of Kano; Senator Bola Tinubu and Gov Ayo Fayose who stand up for the struggle of their people.
An infuriated MASSOB warned the traditional rulers in a statement signed and made available to Vanguard by their leader Uchenna Madu,which read: ”Why must Igbo traditional rulers continue to celebrate Ofalas and new yam festivals while their Biafran subjects are still in detention for Igbo cause? We will stop these celebrations forthwith.
What are the religious leaders still preaching while our brethren are still in prisons? We demand that Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and others will not spend Christmas in prisons again or an internal native revolution will start in Igboland. “MASSOB blasts Igbo religious, traditional, political and opinion leaders for their nonchalant and insensitive attitude concerning the plight of detained Biafra agitators in Nigeria prisons.
The non- violent struggle for Biafra is a reactionary revolution against the continued neglect, political injustices/imbalance of federal structures against Ndigbo by successive government of Nigeria since 1970. We are in this self determination struggle because of political, economical, academical and religious slavery which the government of Nigeria subjected Ndigbo into in Nigeria.
We and other genuine pro-Biafra groups are in the struggle because of the grand plan to islamize the people of Biafra with subtle and harsh economic policies. We are in the struggle to counter and correct the evil plot to enslave our children and their future. We are in the struggle to re-establish and revive the tenacity, economic independence and industrial nature of Ndigbo which astonished the world in 1950-70’s.
Truly, we are in the struggle to restore the dignity, culture and integrity of Ndigbo. “Majority of Igbo leaders have brazenly betrayed the Igbo cause and interest in Nigeria.” Ohaneze youths indict Igbo political leaders Equally, Ohaneze Youth Council, OYC, said that it would team up with Movement for Actualization of Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB, to sanitize Igbo land and punish Igbo politicians who have not done anything to improve the lives of Ndigbo.
OYC said that it was in agreement with MASSOB that most Igbo political actors have failed to put the interest of Ndigbo first in their actions and need to be called to order. The group said that they have started compiling names of those they would handle. A statement by OYC signed by Alex Okemiri said: “While there is obvious external marginalization of Ndigbo, there is also the internal marginalisation by our own people.
What do our governors do with the money that percolates to Igbo land? Most of them use it to buy lands, houses and choice properties all over the world. Some of them travel all over the world at every opportunity. They owe pensioners and workers for months . They do not care about the youths. “We are now compiling the list of such politicians and we shall hand over the list to MASSOB for proper sanction while we shall also carry out our own sanctions.
The categories are former governors, some former and serving senators, failed contractors, about 3 serving Igbo governors, former and serving ministers, former commissioners, and those who benefitted from Jonathan’s election funds. “Infact, if by December this year, such failed politicians fail to turn a new leaf, they will leave Igboland for us because we cannot tolerate such people in our midst again. They cannot stay in Igbo land and use our resources to better only their lives and the lives of their girlfriends and hangers on while their subjects suffer unduly. “Igbo contractors also given contracts in Igboland who fail to execute such contracts creditably will also face the music.”

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