18th March, 2022
The Obi of Awka, Dr. Austin Ndigwe has issued seven days ultimatum to the wife of former Anambra Governor, Ebelechukwu Obiano to apologise to Igbo people or face serious consequences over her sacrilegious action against the symbol of Igbo unity, Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu.
Ebelechukwu had engaged in a fracas with Bianca during the inauguration of Prof. Charles Soludo as Governor of Anambra State and got slapped by Bianca.
Ndigwe, in a statement on Friday, said Obiano’s wife should also tender an unreserved apology to Soludo, for her disgraceful conduct during his inauguration.
“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 a 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 when the incident occurred 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,” he said.
According to the Obi, it must be pointed out that Bianca was not at that ceremony as Bianca but 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.
“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 aspersions on her is an affront to 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.
“Ebere should realise that this same APGA on whose platform she and her husband had benefitted immensely throughout these eight years was floated when they were not even in the country and they never contributed to its formation.”
He said it was on record that he took Obiano and his wife, Ebere, to Bianca Ojukwu where they knelt down while seeking the party’s governorship ticket, saying 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 Bianca Ojukwu would even be imagined or tolerated by anybody, no matter how highly placed,” he said.