Gist
Nigerians React To IPOB’s Attack On Ike Ekweremadu
A storm of reactions by Nigerians has greeted the attack on Ike Ekweremadu, a former Deputy Senate President by some members of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB), in Germany.
Naija News had reported earlier that Ekweremadu was attacked by the IPOB members in Nuremberg, Germany on Saturday, August 17.
This online news platform understands that Ekweremadu was attacked during the annual cultural festival of the Ndigbo, apex social-cultural group in the south-east.
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 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,” 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 southeast 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. I want to assure them that I am hail and hearty. I have also spoken with the Nigerian Ambassador to Germany, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar”.
Moments after the news broke, Nigerians took to the micro-blogging site, Twitter to air their opinions on the matter.
Naija News captured some of the reactions below…
That #RevolutionNow the FG is fighting against is epidemic, spreading minute by minute. As soon as the set time comes, BOOM!!! No security agency would be able to quench the fire. The beating of Ike Ekweremadu in Germany is a proof.
— Comrade Ola Samuel (@realpsalmie7) August 17, 2019
Only if this revolution that started with Ike Ekweremadu can be extended to other politically leader who feels he/she is covered by immunity.. Buhari needs this more, sorry to say this but he ''deservedly'' needs this beating more.
— Ezebuiro (@Scholar_Nadis) August 17, 2019
If politicians of Igbo extraction are to be dealt with, will former DSP Ike Ekweremadu @iamekweremadu be on that list? pic.twitter.com/3k5s4MV34m
— OC Emmanuel (@eonyeokeh) August 17, 2019
Unfortunate as it was, what happened to Senator Ike Ekweremadu at the hands of the same #IPOB they have been tacitly supporting is a classic example of the chicken coming home to roost. pic.twitter.com/dM5OacHtLy
— Mus'ab Muhammad (@masafkat) August 17, 2019
On Ike Ekweremadu, He was beaten, crushed and disgraced by his own kinsmen but we thank God for life. pic.twitter.com/gIUz9mKBNo
— Iyanda Edu (@IyandaEdu) August 17, 2019
To be honest our politicians here in Nigeria only escape the kind fate Ike Ekweremadu got from Germany because they move around with police men who shoots citizens anyhow. Honestly we would restructure those thieves called politicians. Kudos to IPOB??
— IGWEH IFEANYI ? (@IgwehIfeanyi) August 18, 2019
Sen Ike Ekweremadu didn't see this coming. The people are angry, everywhere. #Germany https://t.co/YxrCtRQqB1
— Barnabas Herbert, MD (@OnCallForLife) August 18, 2019
An attack on Ike Ekweremadu is an attack on Igbo nation, is an attack on Igbo pride and not an attack on Ike Ekweremadu alone. The truth is that we don't know the value of what we have until we lose it. pic.twitter.com/QfAZRqxAKd
— Okeke Eberechukwu (@OkekeEberechuk2) August 18, 2019
Ike Ekweremadu being beaten like a petty thief that stole phone at computer village ikeja pic.twitter.com/n8c0gvxkRL
— I F E N N A (@like_ifee) August 17, 2019