Short of issuing fatwa, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has threatened to deal with the president general of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief John Nwodo, the governor of Ebonyi State, Mr. Dave Umahi, his counterparts in Abia and Anambra states, Messrs Okezie Ikpeazu and Willie Obiano as well as some other Igbo leaders whenever they step out of Nigeria to any of over 100 countries across the world where it (IPOB) has affiliates.
IPOB spokesman, Mr. Emma Powerful, issued the threat on in a statement yesterday following IPOB members’ assault on the former deputy senate president, Mr. Ike Ekweremadu in Nuremburg, Germany on Saturday, August 17.
It would be recalled that Ekweremadu was physically assaulted in that German city during the celebration of New Yam Festival by Igbo community in that country.
Justifying the attack, Powerful said it was carried out in obedience to the long-standing command by its leader, Mr. Nnamdi Kanu to “hound all instigators of Operation Python Dance.”
The statement reads: “Yesterday, being the 17th day of August 2019 the Nuremberg IPOB family in Germany in keeping with the long-standing directive from our leader to hound all instigators of Operation Python Dance, IPOB is glad to report that Ike Ekweremadu was confronted and duly hounded out of a so-called New Yam Festival event in Germany.
“Despite repeated warnings to the organisers of these jamborees that Enugu, Ebonyi and other parts of Biafraland is under siege by Fulani caliphate and their collaborators within, they went ahead to invite a known traitor, co-conspirator and one of those that worked with Igbo governors to proscribe and tag IPOB a terror organisation while they never raised any voice against murderous Fulani herdsmen.
“This should serve as a warning to Nnia Nwodo, Dave Umahi, Okezie Ikpeazu, Willie Obiano and co that any day we find them in a public event abroad, they will be humiliated. IPOB is strategically located in over 100 countries around the world. Anywhere we find them, they will be dealt with,” said IPOB spokesman.
Meanwhile, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo has condemned the attack on Ekweremadu saying it is “divisive and dangerous for Igbo solidarity.”
A statement by Nwodo described the attack as “divisive”, “rude”, and a “disgrace to Igbo.”
“The assault on Ekweremadu by Igbos in Germany, described as IPOB, is disappointing, grotesque and dangerous for Igbo solidarity.
“This violent, rude, impertinent, divisive and discourteous style of IPOB or IPOB instigated miscreants is damaging to our cause”
“It strengthens the case of those who describe them as terrorists and weaken our case against the infringement of our fundamental human rights.
“A disgrace to him is a disgrace to Igbo race,” he added.
“Whilst I condemn the attack on our revered son and leader, I call on the law enforcement agencies in Germany to bring to book the perpetrators of this despicable act. It is un-Igbo. It is disgraceful,” he said.
Nwodo recalled that Ekweremadu negotiated the sureties and security for Kanu’s release on bail stressing that Ekweremadu does not deserved the treatment meted out to him.
In his reaction, the deputy senate president, Mr. Ovie Omo-Agege, said the dastardly act attack was not only an exportation of irrationality but also an international affront on the Igbo and Nigeria’s image.
Omo-Agege said this in a statement by his special adviser on media and publicity, Mr. Yomi Odunuga, in Abuja on Sunday.
“Senator Ekweremadu honoured the invitation of patriotic Igbos in Germany who wanted him to deliver a keynote address at the event organized to commemorate the New Yam Festival but some aggressively discourteous elements hijacked the effort to perpetrate a disgraceful assault that seeks to deepen the portrayal of members of the Independent People of Biafra (IPOB) as enemies of democratic norms and values in which the majority must always have its way after the minority must have had its due say in all matters.
What they did is not only a violent assault against the good image of the Igbo race across the world but an aggressive attack against the traditional norms of a people known to be hardworking and respectful of meaningful contributions by leaders such as Senator Ekweremadu.
“Such disappointing physical abuse also grossly disregards Senator Ekweremadu’s democratic antecedents and his long-standing commitment to the cause of his people. But, as he has said out of the usual largeness of his forgiving heart, these people know not what they do.
“Such criminal attack, along with other anti-social attempt to accuse, condemn and lynch anyone remains utterly condemnable and illegal, notwithstanding whether it takes place on Nigerian or foreign soil as it is the easiest invitation to anomie,” Omo-Agege stated.
He called on law enforcement agencies in Germany to investigate and bring to book the perpetrators of the attack.
In his reaction, the senate minority leader, Dr. Enyinnaya Abaribe, described the attack on Ekweremadu as reprehensible and utterly sacrilegious
He said the assault smacked of utter ignorance of the prevailing situation at home with regard to what the leaders are doing in the circumstance.
“It is a brazen show of ingratitude to a man who has been at the forefront in the struggle for all that is good for the Igbo race.
“It is unfortunate. Ekweremadu has given his all in standing for the Igbo race, particularly when we stuck out our neck to arrange and stand surety for the IPOB leader, Nnamdi Kanu,” Abaribe said in a statement.
In his reaction, the senate president, Mr. Ahmad Lawan described the assault as “barbaric.”
“It is incredibly absurd for anybody to blame the distinguished Senator for the violent criminal activities in his home base, the purported reason cited by the mob for the bewildering attack.
“Senator Ekweremadu, like all his distinguished colleagues in the Ninth Assembly of the Senate, is concerned about the insecurity and other challenges in that area and other parts of Nigeria. Senator Ekweremadu has also been at the forefront of the patriotic efforts to find lasting solutions to the challenges.”
“The barbaric attack on Senator Ekweremadu at a forum to which he was invited to contribute to charting a course for the progress and happiness of Ndigbo debase our values as civilised people. It is most reprehensible and should be condemned by all right-thinking Nigerians,” said Lawan said in a statement signed by media aide, Mr. Ola Awoniyi.
He urged the German authorities to identify those involved in the despicable act so that the law can take its course against them.
Besides, urged Ekweremadu not to be deterred by the incident from his path of service to his people and Nigerians in general, but to take it as part of the sacrifice of leadership.
For the chairman, senate committee on services, Mr. Mohammed Sani Musa the attack exposes the weakness of the attackers saying it was a disregard for ethical conduct.
‘The attack on Senator Ike Ekweremadu is a callous manifestation of cruelty, an infringement of his right and barbaric way of expressing grievances. No human deserves to be demeaned in whatever way not to talk of a distinguished Senator who has given his all to growth of Nigeria.’
“We are shocked and strongly condemn the Nurnberg, Germany, attack on Senator Ekweremadu. Civility is the creed that defines human conduct as violent agitation does not have a place in our land, rather we should renegotiate our structural inefficiencies.
“The attackers…only exposes their weaknesses and disregard for ethical conduct. Our collective work against violence and hate must continue with renewed vigour. My thoughts and prayers are with the senator,” said Sanin in a statement.
Similarly, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) said the attack on Ekweremadu was “uncalled for, unprovoked and cannot be justified under any guise whatsoever.”
Taking to its verified Twitter handle @OfficialPDPNig on Sunday, PDP, in a series of tweets, stated:
“The Peoples Democratic Party condemns, in its entirety, the attack on former Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremmadu, by some Nigerians in Germany, at the weekend.
“The @OfficialPDPNig amply notes that the former Deputy Senate President was attending the 2nd Igbo Annual Festival in Germany where he was duly scheduled as a speaker and special guest of honour when he was attacked.
“The party insists that the attack on Senator Ekweremadu was uncalled for, unprovoked and cannot be justified under any guise whatsoever.
“The PDP added that such assault on a leader is completely unacceptable and does not portray our nation in proper light.
“The @OfficialPDPNig therefore charges the Nigerian Ambassador to Germany as well as the German government to take appropriate decisive action on the matter.
“The party also urges the Federal Government, particularly, the
@nassnigeria, to take urgent comprehensive step to address issues leading to acts of resentment and agitations by Nigerians within and outside the country in the last four years, under President@MBuhari’s misrule.”
