Abike Dabiri Condemns Attack On Senator Ike Ekweremadu In Germany

CHUKA UBAH

The Chairman of the Nigerians in the Diaspora Commission, Hon Abike Dabiri, has condemned in its entirety, the attack on the former Deputy Senate President and current serving senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, at the 2nd Annual Igbo Cultural Festival held in Nuremberg, Germany.

P.M.EXPRESS reports that Hon. Dabiri stated this in her reaction over the attack, which had also been condemned by many, reportedly carried out by members of IPOB resident in Germany.

Senator Ekweremadu, who was attending as a Speaker/Special Guest of Honour at the event organised by the Ndi-Igbo Germany Community, was reportedly assaulted and egged publicly, an incident she described as an embarrassment to the country.
“According to reliable sources, some of the culprits, who perpetrated the act, have been apprehended and we call on the German government and law enforcement agencies to ensure that there are consequences for their actions.”
She said that it was shamefully pathetic that an event, which was nobly put together by the Ndi-Igbo community in Germany, whose members make up the majority of Nigerians living in Germany, to amongst other things provide a forum for the Diasporas and various stakeholders to network and to facilitate a better cooperation between German and Nigerian businesses, ended up in such a disgraceful manner.

“We appeal to Nigerians to be of good behaviour wherever they find themselves because such incidents tarnish the image of the country” she said.
Corroborating the incident, Ekweremadu, in a statement said, “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 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” Ekweremadu concluded.