By Funmilola Aworele – August 17, 2019
The proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra on Saturday said that the former Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu escaped being lynched by its members in Nürnberg, Germany.
IPOB shared a video of the moment on its Facebook page, Radio Biafra.
It was reported that Ekweremadu, who represents, Enugu West, in the Senate was at Nürnberg for the New Yam festival in the German city.
Radio Biafra wrote, “Senator Ike Ekwere Mmadu escaped being lynched by frustrated IPOB family members in Germany. He was seriously questioned and accused of conspiring with Nigeria government in proscribing and killing of hundreds of unarmed IPOB family members in Nigeria.”
In one of the videos on the Facebook page, Policemen were called to restore order to the situation.
Speaking after the ugly incident in a statement issued by Uche Anichukwu, his media aide, Ekweremadu assured Ndigbo and his supporters across the nation that he was safe.
“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,” he said in the statement.
“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,” he said in the statement.
“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,”Ekweremadu said.
Speaking further, Ekweremadu said: “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 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-meaningNdigbo. I want to assure them that I am hail and hearty. I have also spoken with the Nigerian Ambassador to Germany, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar”.
Meanwhile, the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide has kicked over the attack on the former Deputy President of the Senate Ike Ekweremadu by members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra(IPOB) in Germany.
It described the attack as shameful and disgraceful, calling on the German law enforcement agencies to bring the perpetrators to justice.
A statement by Chief Nnia Nwodo, President General of Ohanaeze said: “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.
“Ekweremadu negotiated the sureties and securities for Nnamdi Kanu’s release on bail.
“He does not deserve this picketing and disgrace. A disgrace to him is a disgrace to Igbo race.
“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.”
