The Movement for the Actualization of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) on Monday sacked Ralph Uwazuruike as its leader and announced the former National Director of Information, Uchenna Madu, as a new acting leader for the movement.
The new leadership was headed by the group’s former National Director of Information, Uchenna Madu, while Ugwuoke Ibem Ugwuoke, emerged the National Secretary.
MASSOB at the well-attended ceremony, warned Ralph Uwazuruike “to stop parading himself as MASSOB leader or use Odumegwu Ojukwu’s name to dupe Ndigbo or garner personal fame to pursue his political ambition.”
The new national secretary, stated that “the development is to redeem and revive the lost spirit and confidence of the Biafra revolution in our people and Biafra friends and sympathisers.”
The communiqué continued that, “vote of no confidence and total rejection has been passed on Ralph Uwazuruike. His inability to sustain and maintain Ojukwu’s dream of Biafra actualisation, his deviation into the mainstream of Nigerian politics and using the Biafra struggle to enhance his selfish political ambition in Nigeria are the onus of our rejection of his association with the Biafra struggle.”
Members of MASSOB accused the sacked MASSOB leader of defrauding the members to enrich himself and members of his immediate family, “the introduction of the Biafra international passport was a gross and dubious means through which he generated about one hundred million naira for himself. The existence of the passport without Biafran sovereignty was illegal. Today the passport is useless to thousands of the holders even Uwazuruike does not use it”.
“The over N40 million realised from the dedication of the Biafran war veterans home in Okwe built by MASSOB members was diverted to Uwazuruike’s personal purse”.
“All sorts of criminality in Igboland by MASSOB members have the backing of Uwazuruike and his political romance with enemies of Ndigbo creates serious danger to true Biafra actualisation”.
“In the light of these ugly developments in the struggle for Biafra actualiaation, we felt and believed that Uwazuruike hadbetrayed the confidential trust and the leadership mantle Dim Odimegwu Ojukwu bestowed on him,” the communique stated.
After reading the report, the four-man committee that probed Uwazuruike’s leadership of MASSOB, indicted him of fraud and gross betrayal of the movement.
The committee in its report read by the Chairman, Samuel Edison, alleged that MASSOB had contributed up to N5 billion in monthly dues and other levies in the last 16 years, which were diverted by Uwazuruike.
According to the report, “In the cause of work, we found out that MASSOB members in the last 16 years contributed about four billion naira which Uwazuruike lavished and converted as his personal earnings”.
“With this overwhelming evidences and exposures, the committee with unbiased mind unanimously find Uwazuruike guilty of corruption, embezzlement and betrayal of MASSOB struggle and living extravagant life as if he is a politician or government contractor. The committee do hereby recommend that Uwazuruike be expelled from MASSOB,” it stated.
The new MASSOB leader in his speech said: “Today’s event is a sign of new hope, vision and self determination. The new leadership of MASSOB will work and cooperate with other genuine and dedicated pro-Biafra groups in the spirit of Biafranism on the plane of unity of purpose.”
He continued: “We are more determined and motivated for the cause we so much believe in, the vision we vowed to pursue, the mission that must be accomplished”.
“We shall strengthen our already built relationship with Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) BILIE Human Right Initiatives, Igbo Youth Cultural Association, United Eastern Congress, Lower Niger Congress, Niger Delta Self Determination groups”.
“Non-violence and peaceful agitation shall continue to be our cardinal point. We shall never resort to arm struggle even though our oppressor shall provoke us. On this platform that I humbly accept the unanimous decision of the National Executive Council of MASSOB with the full support of members to operate and pilot the affairs of MASSOB,” Madu stated.
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