By CHARLES IWUOHA

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has accused the founder of the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign People of Biafra (MASSOB), Chief Ralph Uwazuruike, of betraying the Biafra struggle for financial benefits.

IPOB made the accusation in a statement released on Saturday by Mazi Alex Chinonso Omenka, Emekuku Unit 1 Coordinator, Owerri Zone.

The statement was a reaction to Uwazuruike’s call on the leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo to warn Nnamdi Kanu to stop recruiting Igbo youths for violence.

Describing Uwazuruike as an individual with fading relevance who is seeking the limelight, IPOB said the ex-MASSOB leader is trying to use Kanu’s name to attract favours from anti-Biafra politicians.

The statement reads: ”The recent statement by Chief Ralph Uwazuruike, where he begs Ohanaeze Ndigbo to go to Sokoto Prison and warn Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu to stop “recruiting Igbo youths for violence,” is nothing but cheap “notice me” propaganda. Anybody with fading relevance and seeking limelight always latch negatively onto the Kanu name in order to attract favours from anti-Biafra politicians. It is meant to cover up the killings of our people and help the Nigerian government. We must destroy this nonsense with the truth.

“Ralph Uwazuruike sold out the Biafra struggle a long time ago. He traded his conscience, dignity, and the name of Biafra for money and favour from the Federal Government. Today, he is more like a businessman who builds houses and hotels. He worries about the price of cement more than the cost of freedom. A man like this has no right to talk about sacrifice or leadership.”

IPOB said Kanu is not involved in the violence in the South-East, as alleged by Uwazuruike.

The group stressed that saboteurs who have sold their own people for a pot of porridge cannot stop Kanu’s resolve to actualize a sovereign Biafra state.

The statement added, “Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is not recruiting youths to commit violence. What Uwazuruike and his friends are calling “recruitment” is simply our people waking up to defend themselves. The Eastern Security Network (ESN) was formed because Fulani bandits and their helpers were killing our people, destroying farms, and taking our land, while the Nigerian army and police did nothing or even helped them. ESN said “No more.” That is not starting trouble — that is protecting our mothers, fathers, and children when the government failed to do so.

“The videos of young men in the bush vowing to fight back are not proof that Kanu is causing deaths from prison. They are the voice of angry youths who are tired of watching their brothers get killed for no reason. Kanu’s recent changes in leadership and the 100-man divine project are not about violence. They are about cleaning up the movement, removing betrayers, and making it stronger for the final victory. The project is for legal work and proper organisation, not guns. Uwazuruike knows this, but he is playing games for his paymasters.

“Uwazuruike’s talk about “repentant IPOB members” asking for amnesty like Boko Haram is very insulting. Boko Haram killed many Nigerians and got forgiveness and money. Our youths are dying because they demand a simple referendum or try to defend their land. There is no comparison, and only a sell-out will try to make one.

“For many years now, Onyendu Mazi Nnamdi Kanu has stayed strong. He demands a referendum for Biafra and has refused every offer to betray his people. He has stayed in prison, suffered torture, and still refuses to compromise. That is why the enemy fears him even while he is locked up. Men like Uwazuruike attack him because they have already sold out.

“Some Israelites complained and tried to stop Moses and Joshua, but they failed. The same way, the plans of betrayers like Uwazuruike will not stop Biafra. Onyendu is not an ordinary man. He is like a spirit sent to free his people. He would rather die than give up on Biafra and Igboland.

“Shame on all the saboteurs and noise makers who have sold their own people for a pot of porridge. Your time is over. The Lion of Biafra is roaring from prison, and nothing can stop the coming of Biafra.”

Update news