A pro-Biafra group, the Movement of Biafrans in Nigeria, on Tuesday announced that it had withdrawn its support for a former Minister of Aviation, Osita Chidoka, and the United Progressive Party in the November 18 poll in Anambra State.
MOBIN reportedly had an agreement with the UPP to facilitate party’s victory in the November election in the state. By extension, they were said to have pledged their support for a former Minister of Aviation, Osita Chidoka, who was aspiring to be the governorship candidate of the UPP in Anambra State.
The group said it was withdrawing its support because the UPP had failed to keep its own part of the agreement.
In a statement signed by the Director General of MOBIN, Rita Anigbogu, the group said, “The Movement of Biafrans in Nigeria wishes to inform the general public that it has withdrawn its support for the United Progressive Party.
“Earlier this year, the UPP presented itself as the ideal political platform where Biafrans could get good governance in our struggle for freedom. On this premise, MOBIN had worked assiduously, believing that it was building a formidable haven in the interest of Biafrans.
“This was based on three cardinal principles which Biafrans at this juncture cannot afford to sacrifice: justice, equity and truth.”
It added, “MOBIN believes that aside from the fact that the very first political experiment (the governorship primary) by the party was fraught with fraud and irregularities, the UPP has not demonstrated that it’s an ideal party for the Biafran people.”
The group said it was having consultations and would come up with a better political alternative for the Anambra governorship election.
When contacted on the telephone, Chidoka’s media aide, Ikechukwu Okafor, described MOBIN’s decision as insignificant and laughable.
He said, “The candidate the so-called MOBIN was supporting lost at the UPP primary election and I guessed that is their grievance.
“They are just playing their own type of politics. I think MOBIN was set up for a particular purpose and I think they have accomplished that purpose.
“They are not a major pro-Biafra group and we won’t lose any sleep about them. The real Biafrans are with us, so we are not disturbed by what the so-called MOBIN is saying.”