By Philip Nwosu
The Movement for the Actualisations of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) and the Biafran Independent Movement (BIM) has cancelled the sit at home order earlier suggested to mark the independent anniversary of Biafra.
MASSOB/BIM, in joint press conference in Lagos said on May 30, 2017, people of Igbo nationality in Lagos and other parts of world will celebrate Biafra independence, not by sitting at home as earlier scheduled, adding that, “on that day, everybody should come out and celebrate, we are not mourning, we are celebrating.”
The leader of MASSOB/BIM in Lagos, Mr. Chukwuma Eyisi urged Biafrans to come out on May 22 to celebrate the independence of Biafra which they said was achieved on May 30, 1967, adding that the authority to recognise Biafra does not belong to Nigeria, “it is an international matter.”
He said on the days of the celebration, the group will continue to abide by its principle of non-violence, explaining also that Biafra will celebrate its independence like any other sovereign state in the world. The group said like the Palestinian Liberation Orgainsation, MASSOB had achieved recognition by observers at the United Nations, adding that structures that make Biafra a state were already established within the organsation.
MASSOB/BIM)led by Chief Ralph Uwazuruike, has earlier cancelled it planned sit at home order slated for May 30, explaining that it would rather hold football matches in major cities across the south east.
The movement has in place of sit-at-home protest on May 30 planned week-long beginning from from May 22 and ends on May 30.
Eyisi who is also the zonal leader of MASSOB/BIM in Lagos said: “MASSOB-BIM wants to celebrate Biafra on May 22. It is our day, a day that Uwazuruike, our leader hoisted Biafran flag on May 22, 2000 and we want to celebrate it. It is the day we have mapped out every year to thank God for keeping us alive in the last 17 years when the renewed struggle for the emancipation of Biafra was started by our leader, Chief Ralph Uwazuruike”.
They stated that it was on May 22, 1999 that their leader, Chief Uwazuruike hoisted Biafra flag in Aba to signal the group’s loss of interest to be part of Nigeria any more.
The Lagos MASSOB-BIM leaders stressed that the peaceful and non-violent approach of the group in its struggle have made them to remain focused and undaunted, adding that MASSOB was not part of any planned May 30 sit-at-home protest.