Former Deputy President of the Senate, Ike Ekweremmadu has reacted to a viral video Friday which showed him heckled, assaulted, dragged on the floor and chased away from an event he attended in Nuremberg Germany.
He says it is the handiwork of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) led by fugitive Nnamdi Kanu. Kanu is on the run from the law in Nigeria after he was charged to court for treason. The leader of IPOB was granted bail but had to flee the country during a military campaign in the South East.
Ekweremmadu who recounted the encounter through his twitter handle, @iamekweremdu, however, assured Ndigbo and his supporters across the nation that he was fine.
Narrating the incident, Ekweremadu said: “I attended the Second Annual Cultural Festival and Convention organised by Ndi-Igbo Germany in Nurnberg today where I was billed to give a keynote address along with the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Nnia Nwodo, who, however could not make it eventually.
“I was given a resounding welcome by Ndigbo in Germany and everything went smoothly until some men, who identified themselves as IPOB members stormed the venue and began to complain about the killings in the South East, stressing that there would be no Igbo event at the venue.
“I tried to engage them, but when they became unruly, I had to leave the venue. The organisers also invited the police and I was accompanied out of the venue.
“Much as I am disappointed in their conduct, especially as I am one of the persons, who have spoken up on justice for Ndigbo, the Python Dance, judicial killings in Igbo land and elsewhere both on the floor of the Senate and in my written and personal engagements with the Presidency and the media as well as rallied the South East Senate Caucus to secure Mazi Nnamdi Kanu’s release with Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe taking him on bail to douse tension in the South East, I nevertheless do not hold this to heart against them, for they know not what they do.
“I have received thousands of solidarity calls and messages from well meaning Ndigbo. I want to assure them that I am hail and hearty. I have also spoken with the Nigerian Ambassador to Germany, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar”.
It will be recalled that the senator was one of those who rallied support for Kanu and group at the time. Although the lawmaker faced criticisms from some Nigerians. The Nigerian government has since outlawed IPOB, they call the group a terrorist organization.
Uche Anichukwu
Media Aide to Senator Ike Ekweremadu, former Deputy President of the Senate
17/08/19
