By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) on Sunday reacted to news of the purported handover of the struggle for the actualization of Biafra to its leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, by the founder of the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), Chief Ralph Uwazuruike.

Kanu was a MASSOB stalwart before he fell out with Uwazuruike and left to start IPOB.

Contacted by News Express, IPOB’s Media and Publicity Secretary described the statement as false saying that if it is true, IPOB will make a formal statement to that effect.

He said: “I think it’s a one of those social media gimmicks. We are waiting for confirmation, if it is true, we will make a formal statement to that effect. For now, it is not true.

Uwazurike had in the alleged statement described Kanu as his son and someone with a might to deliver. He expressed hope that everyone will look upon him (Kanu) as the face of the modern Biafran struggle.

The statement read: “I Chief Uwazurike, using this opportunity to declare to you dearest country men/women, that the struggle for Biafra has never been something for one man, each epoch, God raises men to avow Biafra.

“In the late 60s it was (Chukwuemeka Odumegwu) Ojukwu, in the early 2000s it was me. Now is a new epoch when the mantle has to fall into a stronger hand that will match the strength of Biafran enemies.

“Nnamdi Kanu is my son, for whatever reason a father cannot reject or abandon his son. When I saw his passion for Biafra I also knew he had a lot to contribute to this mission.

“He is not calm like me, his blood is a lot hot than any I had seen. Many things have played out between us but I am ever willing to let go for the sake of Biafra.

“Let it not be a quarrel that will prevent the coming of Biafra. My only wish is that everyone will look upon him as the face of the modern Biafran struggle and I therefore confer on him, by the power vested on me, the prime ambassador of Biafra.

“Lastly, I hereby dissolve MASSOB. Any institution of MASSOB, its earnings and management is now pledged to the indefatigable leadership of IPOB ably led by Mazi Nnamdi Kanu with every assurance that he will deliver.

“God bless you, God bless Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and God bless the sovereign state of Biafra. I Chief Uwazurike have spoken.”

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