By Cajetan Mmuta, Awka
The Obi of Awka ancient Kingdom, His Imperial Majesty, the Eze Uzu 111 of Awka, Obi Austin Ndigwe on Friday declared that for Mrs. Ebelechukwu Obiano, wife of ex-Governor Willie Obiano and former First Lady of the state to fight Ambassador Bianca Ojukwu and widow of the late Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, in public, she has desecrated Awka land.

He insisted that Mrs. Obiano must appease the gods of the land so that peace can return to the state.

Obi Ndigwe in a statement he signed and made available to newsnen in Awka have Mrs Obiano seven days ultimatum to publicly apologise to Ndigbo or be ready to face serious consequences.

The monarch said the actions of the wife of the former governor was sacrilegious, and that as the monarch of the town, he will have to appease the gods of Awka land to avoid calamities.

The monarch declares that, “She should also tender an unreserved apology to the new Governor of Anambra State, Professor Chukwuma 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.”

“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.”

The Obi of Awka said he has long spoken with Bianca Ojukwu who told him that what angered her was that Mrs Obiano walked up to her and called her unprintable names, including querying her presence at the swearing in the ceremony.
He added that a study of the scenario showed that Mrs Obiano’s action was deliberate, as she came very much prepared to disrupt the swearing in ceremony.

Ndigwe stated that Mrs Obiano’s action was not only against Mrs Ojukwu, but against the late Ojukwu, who is the founder of All Progressives Grand Alliance, APGA, who his widow came to represent.

“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 APGA.

“Therefore, Ebele’s action of casting aspersion on her is an affront on 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.

“Mrs Ebele Obiano has only 7 days to appologise as demanded and directed or face serous consequences.”

According to the monarch, “It is on record that I took Obiano and his wife, Ebere, to Bianca Ojukwu where they knelt down while seeking the party’s governorship ticket. 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.”

He pointed out that, “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.”

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“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 Binaca Ojukwu would even be imagined or tolerated from anybody, no matter how highly placed.”

“Igbo and non Igbo from various parts of the country and beyond have been calling to express their shock and anger over the incident and as the custodian of our people’s tradition it is incumbent on me to uphold the customs of our land. Ojukwu’s personage as represented by Bianca can never be denigrated!, he said.

He said, “It is shameful that someone who has been first lady of a state can descend so low. Her conduct shows that she lacks proper training and it shows that she has no respect for constituted authority and even her husband, former Governor Obiano.”