50 pro-Biafra groups reunite, rally support for Kanu 

50 pro-Biafran /sd

50 pro-Biafran groups unite in self-determination agenda

…IPOB blasts Obiano over comment as toothless bulldog

From Jeff Amechi Agbodo and Aloysius Attah, Onitsha

A unity meeting of Biafran agitators was held at the weekend in Anambra State with over 50 freedom groups pledging to collapse their umbrellas and form a single front to pursue their life-long goal of achieving Biafra.

The pro- Biafran groups also unanimously agreed that Nnamdi Kanu, currently in Kuje Prison, is a success in the struggle, who has paid his dues and must be given all the support he deserves by all freedom fighters.

Some of he groups, drawn from across the present South-East and South-South, included Movement for the Actualisaton of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), Customary Government of the Indigenous People of Biafra (CG-IPOB), Biafra Zionist Movement (BZM), Afra Descendants Movement (ADM), Eastern Veterans Social Welfare (EVSW), Bilie Human Rights Initiative (BHRI) and Biafra Descendants Movement (BDM).

Others include Radio Biafra, Biafran Central Council (BCC), Eastern Peoples’ Movement (EPM), Customary Government of IPOB  and Movement of Biafrans in Nigeria (MOBIN).

Ochie Igbo, Anang Front, Igbozurume, Biafra Liberation Council(BLC), Wakawaka Biafra, Anioma Biafra, Biafra Reporters and Biafra Voice International(BVI). Also represented include Bonny Indigenous Group, Biafra Women Leaders and Great Commonwealth of the Niger Delta among others.

The unity meeting which was convened by the Supreme Council of Elders of the IPOB and presided over by the Vice-Chairman of the Elders’ Council of IPOB, Dr Dozie Ikedife, was  held in Nnewi, hometown of the late Head of State of the defunct Peoples’ Republic of Biafra, Lt Col Emeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu.

In an  address, Mr. Anthony Aniebue, administrator of the Customary Government of the IPOB,  described the unity meeting as a milestone and charged the members to realise that  wherever they are coming from,  the sole objective is Biafra which they are working for its actualisation.

Dr Ikedife, in his address titled ‘A Call for End of Discordant Tunes, A Call for Synergy’, said “there is need for  unity  if really we are pursuing the legal legitimate entitlements of our people, right to self -determination, as supported by United Nations Acts, African Union, and even the Federal Government of Nigeria.”

While acknowledging that all the groups were following the path they felt was the right due to the republican nature of the average Biafran, Ikedife, in his speech solicited that it was time for all to close ranks and stop all in-fighting. “Let the misunderstandings of yesterday be forgiven and forgotten. Anyone who kills his brother or sister cannot be declared a hero. Let us focus synergistically on our goal,” he appealed.

He pronounced curses on those who have turned the Biafran struggle into a money-making venture, saboteurs and others who deliberately oppose unity, while pronouncing unquantifiable blessings upon those who have continued to fight for Biafra without plans to enrich themselves.

Uchenna Madu, current leader of MASSOB, while addressing the gathered agitators, told them to eschew  personal interest and embrace collective responsibility.

Meanwhile, The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), under the leadership of Nnamdi Kanu has blasted Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State over his alleged comment that the group was ‘a toothless bulldog’.

The group stated that in a report credited to Governor Obiano in a national daily, he described IPOB as ‘a toothless bulldog’ capable of words and incapable of action. He said the group was being used by a few to enrich themselves under the guise of fighting for Igbo freedom.

The governor was quoted as having also described IPOB as being “populated by youths who are at best misguided, “if they dare us, we shall tell them that blood is thicker than water and that rear tires can never overcome the front ones.”

But the IPOB spokespersons Emma Nmezu and Dr. Clifford Iroanya, while reacting to his comment wondered why Obiano should be attacking IPOB who was instrumental to his being the governor of Anambra State and could stop his second term ambition in November.

“We repudiated All Progressives Congress (APC) represented by Dr. Chris Nwabueze Ngige and we still do repudiate them till today.

“Secondly, we brought the entire Biafraland to a standstill on September 23, 2016 with our successful sit-at-home protest. The test of IPOB’s popularity and efficacy is never in doubt.

“We ask Obiano, how come we are in the business of enriching ourselves. It is common knowledge that IPOB funds itself through monthly dues contributed by members and though the money which comes in paltry amount, we beat our chest to proclaim that we don’t touch blood money from evil men.

“On the threats of further genocide on Biafrans by Obiano, we want the world to take notice so that he will be held accountable for his atrocious crimes against humanity. We promise Obiano that though we abhor and repudiate Nigerian politics, we shall do to him what we did to Dr.  Ngige in 2013 Anambra gubernatorial election.”