You Betrayed Biafra Struggle for Money — IPOB Replies Ex-MASSOB Leader Uwazuruike

The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has accused former leader of the Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), Chief Ralph Uwazuruike, of abandoning the Biafra struggle for personal financial gain.

The group made the allegation in a statement issued on Saturday by Mazi Alex Chinonso Omenka, Coordinator of IPOB’s Emekuku Unit 1 in Owerri Zone.

The statement was in response to Uwazuruike’s recent appeal to the leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo to visit IPOB leader Nnamdi Kanu in detention and urge him to stop allegedly recruiting Igbo youths for violence.

Rejecting the allegation, IPOB described Uwazuruike as a politician with diminishing influence who was attempting to regain public attention by attacking Kanu.

According to the group, Uwazuruike has become irrelevant in the Biafra agitation and now seeks recognition by making statements against Kanu in order to gain favour from political interests opposed to the separatist movement.

The statement further alleged that Uwazuruike had abandoned the cause of Biafra years ago in exchange for financial benefits and political patronage.

It claimed that the former MASSOB leader had shifted his focus from the agitation to private business interests and therefore lacked the moral authority to comment on the struggle.

IPOB also dismissed claims that Kanu was encouraging violence in the South-East, insisting that the Eastern Security Network (ESN) was established solely to protect communities from attacks by armed criminals following what it described as the failure of security agencies to safeguard lives and property.

The group argued that the activities of ESN were defensive rather than offensive and denied allegations that its members were being recruited to carry out acts of violence.

It maintained that recent internal restructuring within IPOB, including the formation of what it described as a “100-man divine project,” was intended to strengthen the organisation administratively and legally rather than promote armed confrontation.

IPOB also criticised comparisons between its members and Boko Haram insurgents, insisting that its supporters were seeking self-determination through a referendum and should not be equated with terrorist groups responsible for violent attacks.

The group reaffirmed its support for Nnamdi Kanu, describing him as committed to the actualisation of Biafra despite his continued detention.

It insisted that no amount of criticism or alleged sabotage would weaken the movement’s resolve to pursue its objectives.

The statement concluded by accusing individuals it described as saboteurs of working against the interests of the Igbo people, while expressing confidence that the Biafra agitation would continue despite internal and external opposition.