MASSOB Expels Uwazuruike, Appoints New Leader

The leadership crisis rocking the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereignty State of Biafra (MASSOB) has taken a new dimension as the group on Monday expelled its leader, Chief Ralph Uwazuruike, over alleged corruption and deceit. 

 

This is even as members of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) has warned traders across markets in Aba, Abia State not to open for business today (Tuesday) as they continue their protest calling for the release of the detained leader of the IPOB and Director of Radio Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu.

It was gathered that IPOB members visited Ariaria International, Ngwa road, Cemetery and Ekeoha markets with public address system announcing to the traders to shut their shops. 

 

Meanwhile, announcing the expulsion of Uwazuruike, MASSOB alleged that since 1999 to 2014, members of the separatist group had contributed over N300 million cash to his account and N200 million also allegedly paid into Zenith Bank Accounts of Confidence Uwazuruike.

 

 According to them, the MASSOB leader bought houses in various locations in Owerri, the Imo State capital, as well as 28 plots being part of money contributed by MASSOB members. 

 

The group also further alleged that MASSOB members had contributed over N4 billion since its inception 16 years ago which the group alleged that Uwazuruike has converted into personal use.

In a communiqué read by newly elected National Secretary, Mr. Ugwuoke Ibem Ugwoke, at Okigwe, the MASSOB headquarters, the group said the vote of no confidence and total rejection has been passed on Uwazuruike and his leadership of MASSOB. 

 

Ugwuoke said Uwazuruike’s inability to maintain Ojukwu’s dream of Biafra Actualisation, deviation into mainstream of Nigeria politics, abandonment of Biafra struggle, using the struggle to enrich himself were some of the reasons for his expulsion from MASSOB.

He said: “The introduction of Biafra International passport was a gross and dubious means he generated about N100 million to himself. 

 

The existence of the passport without Biafra sovereignty is illegal, as many who attempted using them were landed into trouble. Today, this passport is useless to thousands of holders even Uwazuruike does not see it”. The MASSOB National Secretary noted that Uwazuruike had continued to romance with some enemies of Ndigbo which posed serious danger to the actualization of Biafra.

He alleged that all sorts of criminals in Igboland were admitted as MASSOB members and were backed up by Uwazuruike who received monetary refunds through monthly dues into his personal accounts.

 

 He pointed out that some of MASSOB members that died since 2006 had been abandoned at various mortuaries across the South East. Ugwuoke therefore announced the former National Director of Information, Comrade Uchenna Madu, as the new leader of MASSOB. 

 

“On the development, we wish to inform all our members even the loyalists of Uwazuruike to be vigilant and be aware that this step taken is to safeguard their future, interest, sacrifices in MASSOB and their positions are still retained.

“This new leadership warns Uwazuruike to stop parading himself as MASSOB leader or using Ojukwu’s name to dupe Ndigbo or garner personal fame in Ojukwu’s name for propagation of his political ambition,” Ugwuoke added. 

 

In his acceptance speech, the MASSOB acting leader, Comrade Uche Madu, said the new leadership will work to enhance the image of MASSOB which was tarnished by the expelled former leader, Chief Ralph Uwazuruike. All efforts by the Daily Times to get Uwazuruike’s reactions failed as he refused to answer his calls even when he picked his phone.

Meanwhile, in continuation of the protest calling for the release of the detained leader of the Indigenous people of Biafra, IPOB and Director, Radio Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, members of the group has warned traders across markets in Aba, Abia State not to open for business today (Tuesday).

 

 It was gathered that IPOB members visited Ariaria International, Ngwa road, Cemetery and Ekeoha markets with public address system announcing to the traders to shut their shops. However, a cross section of traders who spoke to our correspondent condemned the order and appealed to the IPOB members to allow the market open. 

 

Efforts to contact IPOB officials in the city proved abortive as none were ready to speak to journalists but a member of the group told our correspondent that IPOB will continue the protest until their leader, Nnamdi Kanu, is released as well as the realisation of an independent state of Biafra.

When contacted, the Movement for the Actualization of Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB, condemned the order directing traders to shut markets in the city. MASSOB’s Assistant National Director of Information, Sunny Okereafor, said:

 

 “MASSOB condemns the order closing down markets. MASSOB is not aware of such order, we totally condemn it. The markets should be open and people be allowed to go about their businesses.

There is hardship in the land and you are talking about closing markets; is this not a way of causing more suffering to the same people we want to liberate? As at the time of filing this report, Chairman of the Abia State Market Development Committee, ASMDC, Chief Solomon Nwaigwe and the Police Public Relations Officer, Abia State Command, DSP Ezekiel Onyeke, said they were at separate meeting.