From Stanley Uzoaru, Owerri
The Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) has announced its decision to endorse a presidential candidate for next month’s general elections.
This is even as the Igbo pressure group has vowed to encourage anybody from the southeast willing to participate in the election, assuring that there would be no boycott.
MASSOB, rising from its national executive council meeting presided over by its leader, Uchenna Madu, at its national secretariat in Awgu, Enugu State on Tuesday also resolved in a statement signed by its Director of Information, Samuel Edeson that political space must be filled in the zone despite its struggle for a Biafra nation.
Other resolutions reached at the meeting state:
“That after more insightful and intensive deliberations on the current affairs of Nigeria state and the future plight of the people of Biafra, MASSOB reaffirmed our primary and vowed goal of actualising Biafra through the principals of non-violence and international diplomacy in collaboration and brotherhood with other progressive pro-Biafra groups.
“MASSOB, having realised that Biafrans cannot forcefully impose our desirable interest on the people of Nigeria. And also having understood the principles of non-violence, MASSOB unanimously agreed and resolved that Nigeria state will independently and internally be observed and conduct their political exercises including general elections in Igbo land.
“MASSOB in the wisdom of internationally recognised freedom of political participation and exercises, we declared that this year general elections in Nigeria state will not be stopped or boycotted in Biafra land.
“The people of South East region are free to participate in the electoral processes of Nigeria because our political space must be filled. MASSOB has allowed INEC to conduct elections in Biafra land.”
The statement also added: “That having also realised the importance of political and economical powers and its usefulness for the self-determination of Biafra actualisation and restoration, MASSOB declares that Ndigbo will massively participate in the 2023 presidential and legislatures elections to elect credible, selfless and progressive persons to represent southeast political interest.
“That the thorough and holistic examination of all candidates for senatorial, House of Representatives and governors in Igbo land including the presidential candidates is still under investigation by MASSOB to ascertain the most credible, competent, uncorrupt and eloquent candidates irrespective of their political parties for endorsement.”