Governor of Anambra State, Willie Obiano, came under verbal bombardment from the family of Ikemba Nnewi, Chief Emeka Odumegwu Ojukwu.
Widow of the ex-Biafran General, Bianca was obviously annoyed with the governor and could not back givimg expression to her disappointment over what she for she summed as disrespect and ingratitude to her husband.
Mrs. Ojukwu anger stemmed from the governor’s was absence for the second consecutive year from the memorial lecture organised for the former National Leader of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), with this year’s edition taking place at the Igbariam campus of the Odumegwu Ojukwu Universit
The governor sent his deputy, Dr. Nkem Okeke, to represent him.
Obiano, who a beneficiary of the political influence of the late Ikemba, has not been personaly present in.the event for the second uear running.
Apparently referring to the role the late Ikemba had played in installing the APGA government in the state since 2006, through former Governor Peter Obi, who handed the baton to Obiano, the widow of the respected Igbo leader reminded the governor to be guided by history and not bite the fingers that fed him.
Turning to Okeke, after observing the protocol at the capacity filled hall, she said: “Tell the governor that today is yet again the memorial lecture and posthumous birthday of that man he rode on his political structure to stardom and he is once more not present.
“Telling him that his actions regarding the man who everyone is here for but he couldn’t find time as governor of his state to be here is very much like that of an ingrate. Tell him that he shouldn’t be afraid because there are no evil spirits here to attack him.”
Her comments roused the crowd, which cheered excitedly as she delivered each of the jabs to the obviously scandalised Okeke, who later tried to pour cold water over the issues the former ambassador raised, arguing that the ternure of Obiano had not finished, as he had more than two more years to go, in which time he could attened.
In an obvious attempt at damage control, Okeke, said: “It is unfortunate that Obiano has not attended the memorial lecture since it started last year, but that is not to say that he will not attend. The governor still has time in office and could still attend in future.”
Muoghalu, whose lecture was titled, ‘Ndigbo in the contemporary Nigerian politics, problems, prospects and way forward,’ said the Igbo must be given equal treatment like other tribes.
Regretting that since the Nigeria/Biafra civil war, the effect had held the nation backward due to the inability of the leaders to address the matters arising, he said: “I suggest that key actors during the war, such as retired Gen. Yakubu Gowon, should speak to heal the wounds to ensure lasting peace.”
Former Deputy Senate President, Dr. Ike Ekweremadu, who was the chairman of the occasion, called for restructuring of the country and introduction of state Police, adding that restructuring and decentralisation of the Police were key to addressing the myriads of problems plaguing the nation
