Cynthia Ezegwu
The Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) has dissociated itself from a sit-at-home order reportedly declared by some pro-Biafra activists ahead of the November 8 Anambra governorship election.
In a statement on Wednesday, MASSOB leader, Uchenna Madu, described those behind the directive as “disgruntled elements sponsored to create political instability and incite chaos in Igboland.”
Madu said the group would resist any attempt to disrupt the election, stressing that MASSOB had always opposed such deceptive calls during election periods.
“MASSOB will never allow this deceit to scale through. Several times during elections in the South-East, they came up with this sympathetic deceit of sit-at-home during election days, claiming it enhances Biafra actualisation, but MASSOB always countered and stopped them. This time, they will fail,” he said.
The group assured residents that the Anambra governorship election would hold as scheduled, adding that it had begun sensitising residents and other pro-Biafra members to participate in the poll.
“We have gone a long way underground mobilising and sensitising state residents, including members of pro-Biafra groups, to engage in the upcoming election,” Madu stated.
MASSOB urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to proceed with preparations for the election, insisting that peace and credibility must be maintained.
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“Having studied the political, economic, religious, and social implications of not having a credible election in Anambra State and the chaos that may follow, we insist that the election must be peaceful and credible,” he said.
Madu further advised Anambra citizens to exercise their constitutional rights by voting for their preferred candidates, adding that the state’s political leadership “must never be left in a vacuum.”
He emphasised that MASSOB’s position did not amount to abandoning the Biafra struggle but rather prioritising the collective interests of the Igbo people.
“We must always consider the overall interest of Ndigbo first before group or individual interests,” Madu added, warning anti-pro-Biafra elements, including those “hiding in the diaspora,” to stay away from the region.