By Our Correspondence
The Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) has warned the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) to stop addressing its leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, as “Supreme Leader,” insisting he was only crowned arrowhead of the Biafra struggle.
The position was contained in a statement signed by MASSOB’s spokesman, Comrade Edison Samuel, on behalf of the Uchenna Madu-led organization, amid a fresh wave of internal disagreement rocking IPOB.
MASSOB said it was compelled to wade into IPOB’s crisis despite its policy of non-interference in other groups’ affairs, citing the shared stake both organisations have in the Biafra cause.
“Ordinarily, MASSOB would not interfere in the internal affairs of another organisation. However, because the Biafra struggle is involved, we cannot remain silent,” the statement read.
The group condemned the public trading of accusations among IPOB members, describing it as harmful to the decades-long push for Biafra’s self-determination.
“Your attacks and counter-attacks, allegations and counter-allegations are neither useful nor healthy for the struggle for the actualization and restoration of Biafra,” MASSOB said. “IPOB, like MASSOB, is a household name committed to serving the people of Biafra. Therefore, stop insulting and tarnishing its image.”
MASSOB urged IPOB’s leadership to embrace dialogue and resolve its disputes internally rather than in public.
“We call for peace, unity, and mutual understanding among the leadership of IPOB. As one family pursuing the same cause, sheath your swords and work towards the peaceful resolution of all internal disagreements,” the statement added.
Beyond the call for unity, MASSOB used the opportunity to restate its long-held objection to the “Supreme Leader” title, which it said has no place in the Biafra movement’s leadership structure.
“We wish to reiterate our position on the leadership of the Biafra nation. There is no official leadership title or designation known as ‘Supreme Leader’ in Biafraland,” the group said.
MASSOB argued that the designation infringes on a title reserved for God.
“The title ‘Supreme’ is an attribute that belongs only to God Almighty. Any attempt to assume or accept the title of ‘Supreme Leader’ amounts to a direct challenge to the supremacy of God Almighty,” it said.
The organisation traced the origin of Kanu’s mandate to a joint declaration by pro-Biafra groups under the Biafra People National Council (BPNC), of which MASSOB was a participant.
“It will be recalled that on June 29, 2017, pro-Biafra organisations under the umbrella of the Biafra People National Council (BPNC), with MASSOB as a participant, declared Mazi Nnamdi Kanu the arrowhead of the Biafra struggle. We did not crown him the ‘Supreme Leader,'” the statement said.
MASSOB reaffirmed that no individual currently holds or has ever held the title of “Supreme Leader” within the Biafra movement, as the rift between the two foremost separatist groups continues to widen after more than 24 years of pursuing an independent Biafran state.
