Ahead of the scheduled January 10, 2025, election into different leadership positions in the Ohanaeze Ndigbo socio-cultural group, the leadership of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) has assured that the process will be rancour-free.
MASSOB leader, Uchenna Madu, in a statement made available to newsmen yesterday, said MASSOB was committed to ensure that the election was peaceful, free and fair.
The statement read, “Our dedicated and unflinching loyalty to Ndigbo and Ohaneze Ndigbo leadership, MASSOB has put up all the necessary arrangements to make sure that the election processes are smooth.
“As it is the turn of the Igbo-speaking people of Rivers state, every eligible elder statesman, respected and non-partisan person of Igbo extraction from Rivers state is qualified to contest for the office of the President General of Ohaneze Ndigbo.
“No contestant is exempted, removed or disqualified by the outsiders, external pressures or sponsored agents of blackmailers, it’s only the Ohaneze Ndigbo screening committee will do such”.
On the eligibility of former Inspector General of Police Mike Okiro to contest, MASSOB said he was qualified, noting that throughout his years in the police, he identified as an indigene of Rivers State.
The statement read, “Former IGP Mike Okiro is an Indigenous citizen of Rivers State, a true son of Rivers State. All his career as a public servant is from the quota of Rivers State.
“As a contestant, he is eminently qualified to contest for the office of President General of Ohaneze Ndigbo unless the screening committee disqualify him”.
The group warned all fermenters of unrest to steer clear of the election venue saying “MASSOB warns sponsored troublemakers to stay off the venue of election or face the consequences.â
