By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

The Movement for Actualization of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) has condemned the unprovoked insult and abuse railed on the Governor of Abia State, Dr Okezie Ikpeazu, by Senator Smart Adeyemi at the floor of the Senate on Tuesday.

The group described the Senator's utterance as an insult to Igbo people.

In a statement by MASSOB leader, Uchenna Madu, on Thursday, the group warned the lawmaker to apologise to Ikpeazu and Ndigbo in general before three days or risk sanctions including being declared persona non grata in all parts of Igbo land.

The statement reads in part: “MASSOB views this unprovoked assault on the person of a sitting governor in Igbo land as an insult to Ndigbo. We can never accept it, they are desperate to discredit Igbo leaders because of 2023 general election.

“From records available, this is not the first time Adeyemi and his sponsors have picked on Igbo leaders for abuse because of their innate hatred and disdain for Ndigbo especially those seem to be doing well in development of Igbo land. Abia State is rated the best third state for foreign investment and economic stability in Nigeria.

“We understand that Senator Adeyemi is being driven by his perceived hatred against Ndigbo or have been sponsored by the enemies of Ndigbo for political reasons because he is aspiring to be the next governor of Kogi state but we wish to warn him and others who lend themselves to be used against the aspirations of our people that we are ready for them.

“There is no nation in the world that will make progress while attempting to keep one part of the country down and this explains the lack of progress witnessed in Nigeria since the end of the civil war.

“This same issue is at the heart of our struggle to actialize our sovereign state of Biafra where Ndigbo can flourish without anyone seeking to keep us down or abuse our leaders.”

MASSOB hailed Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe for his eloquent representation of Igbo people, saying that his consistency and unshakable spirit is worthy of emulation.

“It is a driven force for our self determination struggle for Biafra actualization,” the statement added.

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