Count Down To Anambra Polls: Pro-Biafra Groups Issue Counter Order, Urges Kanu To Withdraw Boycott Call

Two Pro-Biafra groups, have issued a counter order to the people of Anambra State urging them to ignore earlier call for the boycott of forthcoming general election in the state.

BigPen Online recalls Kanu had vowed that he would stop the November 18, 2017, election from being conducted, calling on Anambra people to stay away from the polls, a development which have heating up the polity in the state.

But briefing newsmen on Thursday, the  Delta State chapter of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB and Biafra Independent Movement, BIM issued a counter-order calling on the people to ignore Kanu’s call and come out enmass for the poll.

The groups however called on the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mr Nnamdi Kanu, to urgently withdraw his order directing voters to boycott the November 18 governorship election in Anambra State.

MASSOB explained that the call has become important to avoid plunging the state into eminent bloodbath and fresh crisis during the poll in the interest of the entire Igbo Nation.

The Delta South Zonal Chairman of MASSOB/BIM, Mr Patrick Agwulobi, who spoke for the groups, appealed to Kanu to withdraw the threat ahead of the poll to enable the people of the state vote for the candidate of their choice.

Agwulobi said although IPOB and MASSOB were both pro-Baifran groups, the order by Kanu that people of Anambra of voting age should boycott the exercise was unfortunate and does not enjoy the blessing of MASSOB members, and should be withdrawn in the interest of peace.

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“Our idea is that we don’t want anything that will bring problem or crisis. IPOB should withdraw the statement that ‘there will be no election.’ We are also saying that let us embrace the forthcoming election in peace. Kanu should retract the threat to avoid conflict or anything that will throw Anambra State into crisis.

“MASSOB/BIM is therefore encouraging all her members in Anambra State as whole to come out enmass and be fully involve to vote the leader of their choice to enhance democracy and development in the state.”

Agwulobi, while disassociating MASSOB from the boycott order said, “He (Nnamdi Kanu) should know that boycotting the election would bring crisis or conflict, and we in MASSOB do not support such threat. If he refuses to withdraw the statement, he will face the consequences alone with his supporters.”

He however added that the group would mark its 18th anniversary celebration of the movement in September, 2017.

The group also added that a new Baifra radio would still be launched during the period of the anniversary celebration.