We’re no threat to MASSOB – Ikedife

The Deputy- Chairman, pro- Biafran Group, Dr Dozie Ikedife has refuted reports credited to the leader of the Movement for the Actualization of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), Chief Ralph Uwazuruike accusing the Supreme Council of the Elders of the Indigenous People of Biafra of having a hidden agenda in its philosophy of legal and diplomatic approach to self determination and not supporting MASSOB ideals.

Speaking in Nnewi, Anambra State yesterday, Ikedife said he had a good measure of respect for Uwazuruike but wondered why the MASSOB leader was not rather excited that some eminent elders had joined in the struggle for the actualization of the State of Biafra.

‘’ Chief Uwazuruike may not know some of these elders supporting him and the cause of Biafra. (elders council). The desire for self determination for Biafra is not an exclusive preserve of one man. And I think since Uwazuruike stood for it, he should be happy that more people are buying into his position’’, he declared.

He further added; “The leadership of the indigenous people of Biafra under the customary laws and in obedience to the laws of Nigeria do not subscribe to violence, rough or abusive language. We know that the law has created a wide window, indeed a door, for actualizing self determination for indigenous people not just of Biafra but for any other indigenous group. The Supreme Council of Elders of the Idigenous People of Biafra is no threat to any other group. Let us please work together to achieve the self determination”.

On whether Uwazuruike’s rejection of integration with the elders council was based on his fear of losing grip of MASSOB which he was allegedly running as a business empire, Ikedife said he had no answer to the question.

Ikedife explained that pro-Biafra groups that attended the recent Owerri unity congress include a group that said it represented the MASSOB, saying that he would not know whether the group was truly from Uwazuruike “even though I called him (Uwazuruike) and also sent a text as he did not pick his call in respect of the Owerri unity congress.”

He said that even if Uwazuruike does not support the method of the elders council as the best approach, he should carry on with his own and let others carry on the way they think best “but let us work tohether because there is strenght in unity.”