President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Nnamdi Kanu
According to a report by Sahara Reporters on Friday, July 5, 2024, the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) has reiterated its call for the unconditional release of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), who is currently in detention.
In a statement issued on Friday, July 5, 2024, MASSOB leader Comrade Uchenna Madu dismissed the opposition to Kanu's release by the Arewa Youths Consultative Forum (AYCF), led by Yerima Shettima, as inconsequential and irrelevant.
Madu did not mince words, describing Shettima and his group as "parasitic" and "selfish religious bigots" opposed to the interests of southern regions in Nigeria.
The statement further characterized Shettima as a "diehard enemy" of the southern regions' interests, suggesting that his statements against Ndigbo and Biafra are a manifestation of frustration and irrelevance, stemming from the loss of political grip by the Arewa and Fulani people.
According to Madu, Shettima's frustrations are rooted in a perceived betrayal by their religious counterpart currently in power, who is pursuing an agenda that diverges from theirs, thereby threatening their dominance.
This perceived shift has led to Shettima's outbursts, which Madu sees as mere expressions of frustration and impotence.
The statement from MASSOB reads in part, "President Bola Tinubu can never be cowed with the Arewa mentality of promoting the Fulani expansion in Nigeria. We are Biafrans, we don't believe in the Nigeria state. Still, we shall never allow our pathological haters to frustrate or kill our existence in Nigeria. The release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is long overdue."
MASSOB also expressed appreciation for the efforts of Southeast Governors led by Hope Uzodinma and Southeast Lawmakers led by Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, acknowledging their respective moves and approaches toward Kanu's release.
"MASSOB congratulates the Southeast Governors and Southeast Lawmakers for their eloquent respective moves and approaches towards the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu from detention," the statement continued.
The group extended its gratitude to other individuals, groups, and lovers of justice and freedom for their calls and demands for Kanu's release.
"MASSOB also appreciates other individuals, groups, and lovers of justice and freedom for their calls and demands for the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu from detention," the statement added.
MASSOB drew a parallel between Kanu and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, noting that both are pro-Biafra agitators with a history of activism.
"Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is a pro-Biafra agitator like President Bola Ahmed Tinubu who was once a social activist during the military era," the statement noted.
In light of this, MASSOB demanded the intervention of President Tinubu in securing Kanu's release, drawing comparisons to Tinubu's previous efforts to secure the release of Sunday Igboho from Benin Republic prison.
"MASSOB demands an intervention of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu as he did for Sunday Igboho in Benin Republic prison," the statement urged.
In its concluding remarks, MASSOB reiterated its demand for the unconditional release of Nnamdi Kanu.
"MASSOB demands an unconditional release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu now," it emphasized.