The Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra has congratulated Senator John Azuta-Mbata on his election as the new President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide.
MASSOB stated that Azuta-Mbata’s emergence as the leader of the apex Igbo socio-cultural organization had debunked the long-held misconception that the Ikwerre people of Rivers State are not Igbo.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the national leader of MASSOB, Uchenna Madu, described Azuta-Mbata’s election as “unique and special.”
He expressed confidence that the senator’s leadership would counter attempts to divide and weaken Igbo land.
MASSOB’s position is in sharp contrast to the position of Ikwerre people of Rivers State, who have insisted they are not Igbo.
Following Azuta-Mbata’s emergence as Ohanaeze Ndigbo’s leader, the Ogbakor Ikwerre (the Ikwerre Assembly) stripped him of all traditional titles in protest.
But in its statement on Sunday, MASSOB’s leader, Madu, declared the unwavering support of the Igbo people for Azuta-Mbata’s administration, pledging MASSOB’s loyalty to Ohanaeze Ndigbo’s leadership.
“The emergence of Chief John Azuta Mbata as the new President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo has justified the under-carpet truth about the founding fathers of Ohanaeze Ndigbo in 1976 when it was formed as Igbo Union before changing to Ohanaeze Ndigbo in 1979,” Madu said.
“Among these founding fathers of Ohanaeze Ndigbo with Dr. Akanu Ibiam as the first chairman are Dr. Obi Nwali, Sen. Francis Ella, Eze Nwonodi, Eze Nwoluchem, Chief Aguma, and Chief Nwuche (father of Chibudom Nwuche), former Deputy Speaker, all are indigenous Igbo-speaking people of Rivers State.
“For decades, there has been systematic and sponsored falsehood to deny and erase the Igbo identity of Ndigbo in Rivers State. However, the emergence of Chief Senator John Azuta-Mbata, an Ikwerre man, as the newly elected President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has proved the Igbo critics wrong.”
MASSOB wished Azuta-Mbata success in his new office, saying “your leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide is very unique and special because your emergence as the Ohanaeze Ndigbo President General has exposed the long-standing hypocritical, falsehood, and camouflaged make-belief that Ikwerre people are not Igbos.”
“Your administration as President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo will forever silence the merchants of destruction and division of Igbo land. Ndigbo are solidly behind your leadership,” MASSOB insisted.
The organisation also reiterated its commitment to partnering with Azuta-Mbata’s leadership for the benefit of all Igbo people, regardless of their location.
It is worth noting that MASSOB, a pro-Biafra separatist group, has been advocating for an independent Igbo state since its establishment in 1999.
Over the years, the group has faced a complicated relationship with the Nigerian government, including allegations of human rights violations and crackdowns on its members.