Ohaneze, MASSOB, IPOB criticise President over referendum

Leaders of the

According to a report by The Sun, former president-general of the Igbo apex group, Ohaneze Ndigbo Worldwide, Dr. Dozie Ikedife wondered why the President would not allow a referendum in a democratic country.

Ikedife said: "Since he will not allow referendum, then the logical thing to ask him is, is this democracy or dictatorship? Is it his will or the will of the people that will prevail? These are the natural things that follow. Is it his discretional will or the will of the people that will prevail?“If he won’t allow referendum, what will he allow? Does he remember that any group of indigenous people has right for self-determination? And when we are talking about referendum is not for him to vote, it does not concern him."So, whether he allows it or not, when the time comes referendum will take place and people will be allowed to express their opinion and their wish. And I am sure that the reaction of the civilised world to such a statement will be a measure of shock and surprise, so let him think again.”

In the same vein, leader of MASSOB, Comrade Uchenna Madu said the President was only bluffing about the referendum because he is jittery.

He said: “President Buhari’s latest comment on Biafra further proved his is jittery, confused and unable to quench the fire of determination and consciousness of Biafra.“The just concluded United Nations General Assembly which Buhari attended have dawn it on him that Biafra actualisation and restoration to independent and full statehood can no longer be ignored. The world leaders have shown their sympathies for the oppressive and subjective economic policies of Buhari-led Nigeria government against the industrious and creative people of Biafra.

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“The Oriental, Asian and Western world are seriously in support of Biafra because 60 per cent of their economic growths are been propelled by the industrious people of Biafra. It has dawn on President Buhari that the universal clamour for Biafra referendum to determine the choice of the people of Biafra between his Nigeria and Biafra have reached greater height of momentum which he can’t deny.”

During a media event at the end of his visit to the United States as the leader of Nigeria’s delegation to the 71st United Nations’ General Assembly (UNGA), Buhari had foreclosed any chance for a referendum as a path to resolving the agitation of the Igbo groups.