…Celebrates 17th anniversary May 22
From: OKEY SAMPSON, Aba
The Movement for the Actualisation of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB)/Biafra Independent Movement (BIM) led by Chief Ralph Uwazuruike, says it was not party to any planned sit-at-home protest being slated for May 30, but would rather hold football matches in major cities across Biafra land to round up a week long activities to commemorate the 17th anniversary of MASSOB.
The movement has instead of a sit-at-home protest on May 30 arrangement to hold a week-long 17th anniversary in all Biafra land beginning from May 22 and ends on May 30.
In separate releases signed by director of Information for Obingwa, Chidi Elewa Okoro on behalf of the regional administrator, Madam Comfort Ogbuokiri a.k.a Iron Lady and Aba South Administrator, Okporie U. Nkama, they disclosed that the essence of the rally which would be held in Aba and attended by the group’s members across the 17 local government areas of the state was to commemorate 2017 “Biafra Day” and the 17th anniversary Uwazuruike hoisted the first MASSOB flag in Aba.
“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.
According to the release, on May 22, MASSOB/BIM members in Abia would gather on a yet to be disclosed venue from where they would march round major streets of Aba including Azikiwe road, Asa road, Okigwe road, Aba-Owerri Expressway amongst others.
The Abia South MASSOB-BIM leaders also informed that the week long event would be rounded up with a novelty match on May 30 in Aba, warning that they would not fold their arms to watch unscrupulous elements hijack the exercise to cause breach of peace in the city and its environs.
He 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.
They urged the residents of Aba and the state in general to come out en-mass and watch the inter-state novelty match that would be played at a venue that would soon be announced later.
The leaders said no amount of intimidation by the federal government or its agents would make them bow to the pressure of abandoning their struggle, stressing that “we will get what we want in a peaceful way”.