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I’m ready to die for Biafra – Uwazuruike
I’m ready to die for Biafra – Uwazuruike
Returns to tumultuous welcome in Enugu
By PETRUS OBI, Enugu
Leader of the Movement for the Actualization of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), Chief Ralph Uwazuruike, who was granted temporary bail last week, received a heroic welcome at Enugu on Monday, where he said he was ready to die for Biafra.
The mammoth crowd that came to receive their hero started gathering at the Sir Akanu Ibiam Airport as early as 7 am, as buses that conveyed people from different states of the South East, including Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Delta and Cross River states struggled for the available space at the airport.
Uwazuruike, who was in the company of Senator Uche Chukwumerije, Senator Obiora Ikechukwu and His Royal Highness Nwosu Ibe, Eze Ndigbo in Abuja, arrived in the same Arik Airliner with Enugu State Governor, Mr. Sullivan Chime, who was returning from the governors’ summit in Abuja. The flight meant for 10 am finally touched down at exactly 12 noon amid uproar of cheers from both MASSOB faithful and other Igbo alike.
Immediately Uwazuruike alighted from the plane, he knelt down and kissed the ground, a demonstration that was interpreted as sign of home coming at last.
Not even the legion of policemen, who came in about 20 trucks, nor the MASSOB security, dressed in all black suits, could contain the crowd that surged forward to catch a glimpse of Uwazuruike, who was smuggled into a waiting Jeep with an open roof from where he started waving to his supporters.
People surged after him, singing and dancing, some trekking all the way from the airport into the city centre. The entire Enugu metropolis stood still for hours while Uwazuruike and his thousands of supporters moved round.
Speaking at a brief reception organised by the Ohanaeze Ndigbo at the Ofuobi Cultural Centre, Independence Layout, Uwazuruike recalled that the formation of MASSOB was as a result of the continued marginalization of the Igbo in the politics of Nigeria to the extent that it became apparent that the survival of South easterners must be fought for.
He said: "We felt it was reasonable to speak about our continued marginalization, because all what we fought for during the Nigeria/Biafra war was still prevalent today, just for the fact that we are hated as Igbo. This marginalization and dislike of Igbo in Nigeria is always shown in every sphere of life.
"We were four leaders who were detained. Asari Dokubo of the Niger Delta struggle has been released. Gani Adams was long released; same thing with Frederick Fasehun, all the three released except me; why, because I am an Igbo man; that justifies my reason for Biafra.
"Yet, my own bail is just for three months to enable me bury my late mother, which means if she had not died, there would be no bail for me, after all Gani Adam’s mother and Asari Dokubo’s mother did not die before they were granted bail, just because I am an Igbo man."
The MASSOB leader, who said he had no regret for his struggle, even with his incarceration, vowed that his travails would not stop his struggle for a sovereign state of Biafra, adding that so long as the marginalization against the Igbo people continues in Nigeria, "I am even ready to die for Biafra."
"We have a reason to survive and while we protect our lives, we have to protect the lives of our children unborn. People talk about one Nigeria, I won’t be part of the one Nigeria with the Igbo as slaves; I will not also be part of the one Nigeria with the Igbo man as sacrificial lamb."
He expressed gratitude to entire Igbo, especially the South East Senators’ Forum, the Ohanaeze, for the strong roles they played towards his release.
The president-general of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Dr. Dozie Ikedife, urged leader to continue to preach non-violence among his followers in MASSOB, to uphold transparency and truth in all the activities of his group.
He expressed gratitude to the Federal Government for showing respect for the law and for human beings and noted that if there was any case against Uwazuruike, it should be prosecuted in court and not to incarcerate him without any charge.
Ikedife also warned that until the Igbo are properly integrated into the scheme of things in Nigeria, the rest of the country is wasting time.
At Dim Odumegwu Ojukwu’s residence, where Uwazuruike was also received, Ojukwu praised him for playing his role and paying his due in the Igbo struggle.
"I never knew it would be like this. You have cleaned our shames from our faces. Igbo are behind you," he said.
Ojukwu, who said that people had been asking who would replace him when he dies, alluded to the fact that Uwazuruike was a true son of Igbo who has all it takes to play the same role he has been playing for the people.
Ojukwu, who said he had never seen the type of three months bail granted to Uwazuruike said: "We welcome you with all our hearts. All Igbo land is your father’s land. Be firm, be strong; we are behind you."
Other dignitaries with Ojukwu to receive the MASSOB leader were Dr. Nnia Nwodo and Chief Victor Umeh, among others.
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