MASSOB, IPOB Battle Over Anambra Governorship Election

CYRIACUS IZUEKWE

The Movement for the Actualization of Sovereign State Of Biafra, MASSOB led by Mazi Ralph Uwazuruike  and Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB are now at war over the forthcoming Governorship election in Anambra State.

P.M.EXPRESS reports that while IPOB had been threatening, mobilising and campaigning against the election in state,  insisting that the Nigerian state must conduct a referendum to determine whether the Igbos still want to remain in Nigeria, MASSOB thinks otherwise.

They alleged that the Igbo people were marginalised, deprived of their fair share in Nigeria and want to breakout from the current arrangement and become Republic of Biafra.

In contrast, MASSOB had insisted that the proposed election must go on as scheduled in November, saying such decision by IPOB was against the interest of the people of the state and Igbo people in general.

MASSOB had turned from agitating for secession and favoured restructuring of the country to address the perceived marginalisation of Igbo people contrary to the position of IPOB.

P.M.EXPRESS learnt that the  two factions were said to be in strong battle over supremacy to determine which group out of the two that commands genuine respect and followership in Igboland.

Speaking on the matter, the MASSOB National Director of Information, Mr Sunday Okerafor said there will be an election and urged Anambra people to continue to prepare for the election coming up in November.

Okerafor hinged his reason on the ground that MASSOB will not allow IPOB members to put the lives of the Igbo in jeopardy.

He said it was wrong for IPOB to declare that election will not hold; saying that IPOB had always caused confusion that  led to the killing of Igbo people in the past.

Okerafor used the opportunity to confirm that MASSOB will be storming Anambra State capital to mark the 18th anniversary of MASSOB and equally mobilise the people to participate in the election.

However, the state governor, Chief Willy Obiano has declared that there will be election and threatened to arrest any individual or group who attempts to disrupts the election in Anambra State.

His position was supported by the people and political parties who have perfected their plans for emergence of party candidates and the election proper.

P.M.EXPRESS learnt that the threats have not really worked in Anambra as the people were already mobilising themselves in preparation for the election.

It was gathered that since Uwazuruike and Kanu parted ways and formed different organisations, they have failed to agree on almost on all issues and the way forward in their agitation.

When the Northern youths gave the Igbo people living in the North notice to leave, Kanu welcomed it and asked the people to come back as he claimed that there was adequate provision to resettle them in Igboland by IPOB.

But Uwazuruike went on the path of peace and tried to resolve the issue of quit notice which seemed to have been resolved.

It was not certain yet where the pendulum will swing as both factions have been busy mobilising their members for and against the election.