Ekweremadu Reacts to Attack in Germany

Former deputy president of the Senate, Dr. Ike Ekweremadu has reacted to Saturday’s attack by members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) in Nuremberg, Germany.

In a statement issued on Saturday, the Senator representing Enugu West explained that he was invited to deliver a keynote address alongside the President-General of apex Igbo socio-cultural association, Ohaneze Ndigbo, Chief Nnia Nwodo at a Cultural Festival and Convention when some people identified as IPOB members stormed the venue to protest the killings in the South East region.

See 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.

“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 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 and Nigerians. I want to assure them that I am hale and hearty. I have also spoken with the Nigerian Ambassador to Germany, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar.”