August 18, 2019
WIC PRESS RELEASE ON THE ATTACK ON SEN. IKE EKWEREMADU IN GERMANY
The World Igbo Congress heard, with concern, the attack on Sen. Ike Ekweremadu at the Second Annual Cultural Festival and Convention organized by Igbo Organization in Nuremberg, Germany on Saturday, August 17, 2019 said to have been perpetrated by some members of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
That Festival was supposed to feature Ohanaeze President-General, Chief Nnia Nwodo, former Nigerian Senate Deputy President and current member of the Senate, Sen. Ike Ekweremadu and World Igbo Congress Chairman, Prof. Anthony Ejiofor.
WIC understands the need for our leaders to truly represent our people where it matters most. WIC understands the anger that has been bottled up by our Igbo brothers and sisters because of the injustices of Buhari government and the menace of the Fulani herdsmen without a decisive action by our leaders. WIC condemns the abandonment of the Igbo to their fate in the hands of the marauding Fulani killers. Nevertheless, WIC equally condemns any form of violence against fellow Igbo man. Igbo culture, not only respects authority, but it also respects human dignity. As we face our collective dilemma against the Fulani, WIC believes in consensus building to iron out things and negotiate through dialogue. It is in this light that we view the attack on Sen. Ekweremadu as untoward.
We hope that the IPOB leadership condemns this action to prevent it from happening again in the future. While certain actions trigger emotional responses, the true measure of bravery does not lie in ruinous emotions. Igbo anaghi egbu onye oga eli. (Igboman doesn’t kill someone he will bury.)
As the argument continues, the absence of a unified strategy is rapidly passing from a bearable handicap to a true danger for Ndi-Igbo. We cannot afford to be our own enemy. At this time, Igbo need all the solidarity they can find, both from grassroots, intellectuals, artisans, businessmen/woman and politicians. An Igbo adage says “Anyuko mamiri onu, ogba ufufo.” Remember that united we stand, divided we fall.
As our people come to WIC’s 2019 Annual Convention in Houston, Texas (August 30-Sept. 1) from all over the world, be assured of peace and fruitful deliberations with oneness of purpose.
It shall be well with Ndi Igbo.
Sincerely,
Dr. Richard O. Nwachukwu
Secretary-General
