A pro-Biafra group has said it will not be fooled by President Muhammadu Buhari's bid to reconcile with the south-east ahead of the 2019 election.
President Muhammadu Buhari in Ebonyi state
The Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) has said that President Buhari lacks a good understanding of Nigeria’s diversity and that they will not be deceived by his visit to the region.
In a statement released by MASSOB’s National Director of Information, Samuel Edeson, he said that the "President does not understand tolerance and diversity; when Fulani herdsmen were killing, destroying farms and burning houses, Mr. President called them criminals.
“The Arewa youths gave notice to quit to Ndigbo, they were addressed as youths, but when we said that we are no longer interested in the political entity called Nigeria, we became terrorists.
“Soldiers invaded our land, killing our people and destroying our property. That is what Mr. President called tolerance and acceptance.”
The group also said that Igbos will not be fooled by Buhari’s visit to the South-East.
He added: “The Movement For The Actualisation Of The Sovereign State Of Biafra under the leadership of Uchenna Madu, disagrees with Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari on his speech in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State.
“President Buhari’s attempt to discourage Ndigbo from supporting secession is laughable.
“For Mr. President to describe our agitation as a senseless propaganda shows how uncomfortable Aso Rock is and also his level of understanding.”
It is believed that President Buhari’s visit to the region is a means of trying to connect with the people of the south-east ahead of the 2019 elections.