By Our Correspondent

The Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) has declared that the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu was only crowned arrowhead of the Biafra struggle, not the ‘Supreme Leader, hence should not be referred to as one.

The statement is coming on the heels of a renewed disagreement between MASSOB and IPOB.

In a statement issued by the Uchenna Madu led MASSOB and signed by its spokesman, Comrade Edison Samuel, the organization expressed concern over the internal crisis within IPOB.

It described the public exchange of accusations among its members as damaging to the Biafra struggle.

The sratement partly read, “The Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), under the leadership of Comrade Uchenna Madu, has cautioned our sister organization, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), to stop this public display of internal rancour and misunderstanding,”

“Ordinarily, MASSOB would not interfere in the internal affairs of another organization. However, because the Biafra struggle is involved, we cannot remain silent.”0

The disagreement appears to have exposed fresh cracks within the pro-Biafra movement, which has pursued the actualization of an independent Biafran state for more than 24 years.

The dispute over the use of the title has further heightened tensions between the two separatist groups.

The group warned that the ongoing exchanges of accusations and counter-accusations were detrimental to the collective objective of achieving Biafra’s self-determination.

It added, “Your attacks and counter-attacks, allegations and counter-allegations are neither useful nor healthy for the struggle for the actualization and restoration of Biafra.

“IPOB, like MASSOB, is a household name committed to serving the people of Biafra. Therefore, stop insulting and tarnishing its image.”

While urging IPOB’s leadership to embrace peace and resolve its internal differences amicably, MASSOB added, “We call for peace, unity, and mutual understanding among the leadership of IPOB.

“As one family pursuing the same cause, sheath your swords and work towards the peaceful resolution of all internal disagreements.

”We wish to reiterate our position on the leadership of the Biafra nation. There is no official leadership title or designation known as ‘Supreme Leader’ in Biafraland.”
According to the group, the word “Supreme” is an attribute that belongs solely to God Almighty.

“The title ‘Supreme’ is an attribute that belongs only to God Almighty. Any attempt to assume or accept the title of ‘Supreme Leader’ amounts to a direct challenge to the supremacy of God Almighty.

“It will be recalled that on June 29, 2017, pro-Biafra organizations under the umbrella of the Biafra People National Council (BPNC), with MASSOB as a participant, declared Mazi Nnamdi Kanu the arrowhead of the Biafra struggle. We did not crown him the ‘Supreme Leader.”

Reaffirming its position on the leadership structure of the Biafra movement, MASSOB maintained that no individual bears the title of “Supreme Leader

By Our Correspondent

Ahead of Osun governorship election, a Muslim group Concerned Muslim Stakeholders and the League of Alfas in Osun State, on Sunday raised concerns over Governor Ademola Adeleke’s re-election bid, citing a Christian-Christian administration.

This is just as the group declared its support for the governorship ambition of the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Bola Oyebamiji.

Addressing journalists in Osogbo, the group’s President, Sheikh Qozeem AbdulRahaman, accused the Adeleke administration of marginalising Muslims despite the governor’s alleged efforts to identify with the faith during the 2022 election campaign.

The group claimed that Adeleke presented himself as a Muslim while canvassing for votes, including adopting the name “Nurudeen,” but alleged that his actions in office had failed to reflect the interests of the Muslim community.

According to him, we must address a painful reality regarding the current administration. Our religion teaches us to be truthful and detests hypocrisy. The Prophet (SAW) described a Munafiq (hypocrite) as one who, when he speaks, he lies; and when he makes a promise, he breaks it.

“The present Governor, while campaigning three years ago, sought the Muslim votes by presenting himself as one of us, even adding “Nurudeen” to his name. However, his actions have been a mockery of our faith. We ask the people of Osun: Have you ever seen a Muslim being the head of a Parish church? Have you ever seen a devout Muslim wearing a *Sutana*?

“This level of religious manipulation is what we call hypocrisy Munafiki Adini. It is a case of “the voice of Jacob and the hands of Esau.

“Let it be clear: we do not say Christians cannot govern Osun. History proves that Muslims have overwhelmingly supported Christian candidates in the past for the sake of unity. A perfect example is the regime of Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola, a Christian who had a Christian Deputy, while all three Senators and almost nine House of Representatives candidates were Christians. Muslims supported them because there was no deceit.”

While endorsing the APC candidate, he said, “As we approach the August 15th, 2026 Gubernatorial Election, we have critically examined the leading candidates: Asiwaju Munirudeen Oyebamiji of the APC, Senator Nurudeen Jackson Adeleke (the incumbent), and Hon. Najeem Salam of the ADC.

“After an extensive evaluation of their track records, their commitment to the socio-religious balance of the state, and their political reach, the Concerned Muslim Stakeholders and League of Alfas unanimously pitch our tent and declare our full support for Asiwaju Munirudeen Oyebamiji of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

“While we acknowledge that Hon. Najeem Salam is a brother and a Muslim of repute, it is clear that in terms of political party structure and the capacity to reach every nook and cranny of the state to secure victory, Asiwaju Oyebamiji is the most viable Muslim candidate. We have nothing against Hon. Najeem Salam, but we must be strategic in our pursuit of fair representation.”

By Our Correspondent

If bandits, terrorists or kidnappers come to your community and everybody has to scamper for safety with some seeking hideouts in the bush, and others running to only God knows where; what will be the fate of your brother or sister who is blind, or who uses a wheel chair, who relies on clutches or any other form of aid ?

If a violent thief or thieves invade a place shooting sporadically into the air and your old father or mother, sister or brother with perhaps hearing impairment did not hear the gunshots early enough to seek shelter from danger, what do you think would be his / her fate ?

Again, when a once agile breadwinner of a family becomes disabled from poor road infrastructure as evident in Nigeria, poor healthcare service delivery or due to a myriad of other anomalies identifiable in the system, what happens to their dependents ?

What if an individual seeking an elective office has the capacity, the experience, the local and foreign connections, and indeed the homestead goodwill to ensure a calm and secured atmosphere that would stop kidnappings, banditry, terrorism, and other forms of violent crimes, from endangering the blind in Nigeria, or the deaf or even those on wheelchairs and clutches, what would you do ?

Think for a moment that if the incoming administration of Atiku Abubakar would put food on the table, and bring medicine and better welfare for your aged and probably weak parents, would you allow religion, tribal sentiments or lies, mudslinging and propaganda from a people known to twist and discolour narratives, imprison your mind at the expense of the fate of your relatives and friends who cannot run into hiding in the face of danger, or who do not have the resources to seek better medical care abroad when the need arises ?

It is common knowledge that the current government has failed woefully in policies and programmes; and to give Nigerians much needed respite from poverty, insecurity, maladministration and infrastructural gaps.

Among the category of Nigerians more affected by the government’s lack of capacity are the vulnerables and those living with one form of disabilities or another.

Available records show about 12 percent of Nigerians aged 15 and above live with some form of disability, and 2 percent experience severe disability.

Among these Nigerians, poverty has become a staple in their households, with 71% (156 million) living below the poverty line, largely due to barriers to education, employment, healthcare, and mobility.

It is important to note also that older persons occupy a slot in the matrix of persons with disabilities. And this group is quietly neglected.

In fact many older Nigerians live with declining health and functional difficulties, and lack access to reliable pensions, affordable healthcare, or age-friendly social services.

Unfortunately, successive governments in the country have shown uncertainty in support for the elderly leaving millions exposed to poverty and neglect in old age. Amid these comes conflicts and insecurities which have further deepened the suffering endured by PWDs.

In 2026 alone Nigeria has a record over 3.5 million internally displaced persons (IDPs) resulting from insurgency, banditry, and communal violence (NEMA, IOM, UNHCR 2026). There’s no gainsaying that a substantial number of this population are pre-incidence PWDs or those who joined the PWD community following life defining injuries they sustained from the crisis.

Pragmatic Approach To Address The Challenges

Whilst it is true that these problems cannot be wished away, it remains a fact that intentional, systematic efforts must be employed to steer the nation away from where it is currently headed.

To this end, a President Atiku Abubakar’s government given his experience in public service, as a former vice president and as a successful businessman, has a localized and an intentional research to ensure that every policy, infrastructure project, and reform initiative is implemented to serve diverse populations from the day the government is sworn into power.

Most especially, and as a solution to the peculiarities of PWDs, the incoming President Atiku Abubakar’s administration, rather than treating inclusion as a standalone intervention, will adopt an “Inclusion by Design” model, ensuring that the deployment of government’s development efforts to all PWD concerns are guided by data.

The administration has also shown commitment to pursue a participatory policy-making approach that would amplify underrepresented voices, promote cross-sector collaboration to close opportunity gaps, and to ensure universal accessibility standards in public infrastructure, transportation, digital services, and housing.

That is not all. Facts on ground shows that a careful understanding of the gaps in the country’s education system accounts for the incoming government’s posture to integrate inclusive education practices across all levels of the education system.

It has also committed itself to promote inclusive employment through incentives, anti-discrimination
enforcement, and workplace accommodation policies for Persons With Disabilities.

This is in addition to institutionalizing disability mainstreaming audits across all government programmes.

Against this background, PWDs now have clear direction as the 2027 general elections draw near. There’s a roadmap away from the decades of uncertainty in government’s inclusion of our community in national discourse.

Evidence shows that an Atiku Abubakar’s administration would be led by credible national census, integrated social registries, and a National Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) to guide decisions about who receives support, where resources are sent, and how progress is measured ; and data-driven policies ensure that help reaches those who need it most.

Even more, insiders reveal plans for basic subsistence allowance, through a Basic Income Grant (BIG) or unconditional cash transfer, to give
families the breathing room to meet essential needs like food, healthcare, and schooling for their children.

PWDs and indeed Nigerians of goodwill, this is our chance. Missing this opportunity is an option that cannot be contemplated !