MASSOB unveils plans for 2017 Biafra Day celebration
The Movement for the Actualisation of Sovereign State of Biafra, (MASSOB) may celebrate her Biafra Independence Day on May 22nd 2017. Mr Samuel Okah, the MASSOB leader in Cross River State disclosed this at the weekend in Ikom when the organisation kicked start the activities for the annual celebration.
The celebration will climax a rally with a grand football match with Bayelsa State wing of the movement on the 22nd May 2017 which is the final day of the celebration. “We call on security agencies not to engage us in any show of force by killing our members (MASSOB) who are celebrating Biafra Day”
He explained that the expected peaceful event was to honour Dim Odemegwu Ojukwu who on 30th May 1967 declared Biafra Independence to free his people from the yoke of bondage which they were subjected to.
Mr. Okah said that the celebration of the 22nd May started when Chief Ralph UIwazurike , the MASSOB leader in pursuit of a non violent struggle for the actualization of the Biafra nation declared the Biafra Independence Day on that date in the year 2000.
“Since then members of MASSOB have been engaging in peaceful struggle for the actualisation of Biafra independence and so it is instructive that we be allowed to do our thing without any form of violence from the police or any other security outfit”.
He said the celebration would not require non-members to panic, stay away from work or close their businesses except those who want to join in the celebration which only involves marches around the state.
“We will carry our flags and marching in some areas like we are doing now which does not disturb office work or closure of businesses except those who want to join us and as such anybody is free to join us”.
The MASSOB leader said members in the state still have cases outstanding in courts occasioned by police action against them while they engaged in peaceful activities and appealed that the 2017 event should be free from any form of heavy handedness.
