From Geoffrey Anyanwu, Enugu
Ohanaeze Ndigbo has described as false the remarks making the rounds that it has disowned Senator Ike Ekweremadu over his detention in the United Kingdom.
The organisation said that it does not go into hasty statements over issues without sufficient facts, which does not mean that it has abandoned its own.
The statement issued by the National Publicity Secretary, Dr Alex Ogbonnia, reads in parts, “It is noteworthy that eminent Igbo patriots have at one time or the other, pleaded with impostors and pretenders to desist from reckless and unguarded statements that portray the Igbo in a bad light using the platform of the Apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide. For purpose of clarity, the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo is Ambassador Professor George Obiozor while the Secretary-General is Ambassador Okey Emuchay, MFR.
“Amongst the Igbo, it is a cultural anathema to rejoice over a brother’s misfortune. And this is where the remarks by Mr Peter Obi, the Presidential candidate of the Labour Party, are very germane and instructive. According to Obi: “My family and I are with the Ekweremadus over their travail. We join all men of goodwill in praying for the healing of their daughter and commit them into God’s hand for justice to be done.” This is an overarching agelong Igbo moral.
“Ohanaeze Ndigbo salutes His Excellency, Engr Dave Umahi, FNSE and Governor of Ebonyi State for his intervention to ensure that emotions and social media tigritude do not outweigh the facts in the matter.
“Our hearts go to our daughter, Miss Sonia Ekweremadu; and it is our fervent prayer that Sen Prof Ike Ekweremadu, CFR; Lady Nwanneka Ekweremadu, PhD and family will overcome the current travails.”