The Obi of Awka, Anambra State, His Imperial Majesty, Dr. Austin Ndigwe, has given a seven-day ultimatum to the wife of the immediate past governor of Anambra State, Mrs. Ebelechukwu Obiano, to publicly apologise to the entire Igbo people or face serious consequences over her scuffle with Mrs. Bianca Ojukwu.
A mild drama had ensued on Thursday at the inauguration of Prof. Chukwuma Soludo as the governor of Anambra State when the wife of outgoing Governor Willie Obiano, Ebelechukwu, and Mrs. Ojukwu engaged in fisticuffs at the event.
The incident occurred immediately after Soludo took his oath of office.
Dignitaries including Obiano were already seated when Mrs. Obiano stepped in and moved to the front row where the widow of Dim Odumegwu Ojukwu was seated.
There were exchange of words between the duo which led to Bianca slapping the ex-governor’s wife.
However, the Obia of Awka, the Anambra State capital, while reacting to the brawl between Bianca and Mrs. Obiano, said the wife of the immediate past governor should also tender an unreserved apology to the new governor of the state, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, “for her disgraceful conduct during his inauguration”.
The traditional ruler, who reacted via a statement on Friday, said: “The same should go for the Chief Judge of the state who was conducting the swearing-in when she descended so low like a mad dog.
“Bianca told me after the incident that what angered her was that Ebere called her unprintable names including prostitute and queried her presence at the swearing-in ceremony.
“Unfortunately, this grave sin was committed in the land of Awka which is known for peace and unity. Therefore, as the traditional ruler of the people and chief custodian of our culture, I am under obligation to perform some sacrifices to cleanse our land of this filth and pollution and to appease the gods.
“A study of the scenario as the incident occured showed that her action was deliberate because as it were, she came very much prepared to disrupt the swearing in ceremony. And It is troubling that she began her ignoble actions when the chief judge stood up to swear in the new governor as she came and sat on his seat, a clear show of shame and lack of respect.
“Even when she was informed that the seat was for the chief judge, she refused to vacate the seat, only for her to stand up and move towards the direction of Bianca Ojukwu to start pouring venom on her.
“It must be pointed out that Bianca was not at that ceremony as Bianca but there as a direct representative of our late father and leader, Chief Odumegwu Ojukwu, her late husband who pioneered the All progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, and the shining symbol of igbo unity and solidarity.”
The Obi of Awka further revealed that he took former Governor Obiano and his wife to Bianca where they knelt down while seeking the All progressives Grand Alliance’s governorship ticket, adding that Bianca endorsed Obiano and called on all APGA members, including ex-Governor Peter Obi to support him.
The monarch continued: “Ojukwu sacrificed all he had for the Igbos to survive, so wherever Bianca goes, she represents and carries the aspirations and personage of the entire Igbo race. Therefore, Ebere’s action of casting aspersion on her is an affront on the entire Igbo people. It was indeed on Odumegwu Ojukwu and not on Bianca as a person. This is an insult on Igbo and it must not go unpunished.
READ ALSO: VIDEO: Ex-Gov Obiano’s wife, Bianca Ojukwu engage in fisticuffs
“Ebere should realise that this same APGA on whose platform she and her husband have benefitted immensely throughout these eight years was floated when they were not even in the country and they never contributed to its formation.
“It is on record that I took Obiano and his wife, Ebere, to Bianca Ojukwu where they knelt down while seeking the party’s governorship ticket. Bianca endorsed Obiano and called on all APGA members, including then Governor Peter Obi to support him.
“It is the same Bianca that Ebere has now publicly insulted. This is a taboo against the tradition of the Awka people and the entire Igbo race who are known for respect and peaceful coexistence.
“It should be noted that Mrs Obiano and the husband Willie Obiano who used the name and pictures of Ojukwu in their campaign T shirts to win election via the endorsement of his wife Bianca never met Ojukwu or discussed with him while he was alive.
“The same ungrateful attitude was what Obiano and Ebere meted out to Prince Arthur Eze who financed the registration and establishment of APGA as a political party.
“Throughout their eight year tenure, Obiano never showed respect to Prince Eze. This is an indication that Obiano and his wife are pathological ingrates.
“This time they have gone too far. The Igbo are angry. Enough is enough, this is the last time that this kind of disgraceful and shameful act against Binaca Ojukwu would even be imagined or tolerated from anybody, no matter how highly placed.
“Igbo and non Igbo from various parts of the country and beyond have been calling to express their shock and anger over the incident and as the custodian of our people’s tradition it is incumbent on me to uphold the customs of our land. Ojukwu’s personage as represented by Bianca can never be denigrated!
“It is shameful that someone who has been first lady of a state can descend so low. Her conduct shows that she lacks proper training and it shows that she has no respect for constituted authority and even her husband, Former Governor Obiano.
“Mrs Ebere Obiano has only seven days to apologise as demanded and directed or face serious consequences,” Ndigwe stated.
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