IGBO PRESIDENCY: MASSOB REPLIES OHANAEZE

The Movement for the Actualization of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) yesterday reacted to the warning issued by the apex Igbo cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, to Chief Ralph Uwazuruike to desist from speaking on behalf of the Igbo on the South-east aspiration for the 2015 presidency.

MASSOB said Ohanaeze should not drag its leader's name into partisan politics.

Reacting to a newspaper publication credited to the spokesman of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in the Diaspora, Uwazuruike's Deputy, Chief Rommy Ezeonwuka, noted that Ohanaeze Ndigbo had no basis to attack the MASSOB leader, stating that his (Uwazuruike's) position on Igbo presidency was in the best interest of the zone.

According to him, for Uwazuruike to shift on his earlier position and back Igbo presidency in 2015 was enough sacrifice that should be lauded by well-meaning Ndigbo, stressing that the condition attached to his support was in the best interest of the agitation for Igbo presidency.

'Uwazuruike's statement that President Jonathan's decision will determine the direction of Ndigbo in 2015 was not borne out of any selfish interest but a bid to ensure that Ndigbo did not engage in another wild goose chase.'

Ezeonwuka maintained that Ndigbo could not wrestle for power in 2015 but would employ wide deliberation and consultations with other zones in the country to ensure that the Igbo presidency project sees the light of the day.

'Ohaneze Ndigbo cannot give us Igbo president, they lack the structure and they should not be intimidated by Uwazuruike's sudden change of mind, it will give force to the aspiration.'

Describing the author of the publication, Mr. Louis Sonny Okafor, as a 'cheap propagandist' gunning for publicity and relevance, Ezeonwuka said the overseas-based spokesman, was not in tune with the present realities in Igboland, urging the leadership of the apex organization to caution against indiscriminate use of its name to malign new Igbo leadership.