Ralph
Uwazurike, leader of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State
of Biafra (MASSOB) has appealed for pe
ace as he holds consultation with
Northern groups in Kaduna.
Uwazurike,
who led a delegation of Igbo leaders from the South East, told some youth
groups in Kaduna on Monday that MASSOB had pursued the path of peace since its
creation in 1999.
“MASSOB had
existed for 18 years without violence, but 2009, I went to London and opened
Radio Biafra and handed it over to Nnamdi Kanu as the director.
“Soon
afterwards, politicians hijacked him, and he started working for them.
“The radio
that was meant to educate our people and advise our people was turned into the
source of hate messages, blackmail, intimidation and others.
“The
resultant effect was that, the northern youths came up to challenge us, to say
that they are not happy with the hate messages and the insults they receive
from the same radio.
“I am here
today to say that the main purpose of floating the organisation called MASSOB
was not to cause crisis in Nigeria.
“I assured
the late Odumegu Ojukwu when he was alive that there would be no other civil
war in Nigeria.
“Because he,
Ojukwu was so concerned and wanted some measure of assurance from me that
MASSOB would not cause problems in Nigeria and I gave him that assurance.
“And I am
today disappointed, that the assurances I gave, may not see the light of the
day, if certain measures were not taken, and that is why I am here in Arewa
House today.”
He assured
of the safety of the northerners resident in the South East and urged them to
continue with their businesses in the area.
“I am here
to assure you northerners that all your people in the South East are safe and
nobody will harass them.
“And, I am
happy to hear my friend, Major Hamza Al-Mustapha, who assured of the safety of
lives and property of Nd’Igbo in Northern region.”
Uwazurike
averred that the crisis in the country was being manipulated by politicians and
urged the youth not allow themselves to be used.
He, however,
stressed the need to address perceived marginalization, adding that though it
was right for any part of the country to seek self determination, it was wrong
to pursue same through violent means.
“Self
determination without violence is a fundamental right, we must strive against
sowing the seed of discord but do all that will promote peace and justice.
“There is a
gap of communication from our leaders which needs to be bridged, hence we are
meeting with notable leaders in the north to persuade them that there is no
cause for alarm,“ he said.
Meanwhile,
Al-Mustapha, former Chief Security Officer to late Head of State, General Sani
Abacha, who convened the meeting, said it was in response to recent quit notice
issued by some northern groups to Igbos.
He said that
the meeting was to intervene in the impasse threatening the unity and oneness
of the country.
According to
Al-Mustapha, the youths need to wear their thinking caps, use their brains and
refuse to be used in fomenting any form of crisis in the country.
He said
current events may not be unconnected with external forces wanting to see
Nigeria disintegrate.
Al-Mustapha
also cautioned the youth against making statements that would further cause
tension in the country, in spite of the unpleasant comments from IPOB leader,
Nnamdi Kanu.
He appealed
to the Kaduna State Government and the Inspector General of Police to withdraw
the arrest threat on the youth leaders who issued the Kaduna Declaration.
Saharareporter*
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