Chinedum Treasure
Former Chairman of Police Service Commission, Chief Simon Okeke has raised the alarm over what he described as an alleged display of hatred and envy by Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo towards Mr Peter Obi, presidential candidate of Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) in the upcoming 2027 election.
The elder statesman warned that the development could undermine Igbo unity and damage the image of Ndigbo across Nigeria.
Chief Okeke, who disclosed that he had been in the United States since late August for routine medical checks, expressed disbelief and disgust over the unfolding situation.
He called for urgent intervention to prevent further damage to the unity and collective interests of the Igbo people.
In a message addressed to Senator John Azuta Mbata, President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo; Igwe Alfred Achebe, the Obi of Onitsha; and Igwe Amb. Christian Uchechukwu Agubuzu, Coordinating Chairman of the South-East Traditional Rulers Council, he expressed concern about the implications of the disagreement for the perception of Ndigbo by other Nigerians.
He described the development as a major setback to Igbo unity, warning that its consequences could linger for a long time if urgent steps were not taken to address the situation.
“Our guess is as good as yours what can now be the perception of Ndigbo to the rest of the country. What remedy can you think of? How can further damage be mitigated?” he asked in the message.
Okeke lamented that the situation was making the Igbo people a subject of ridicule across the country, insisting that the development must be stopped before it causes further harm to the collective image and interests of the ethnic group.
He appealed to the Ohanaeze Ndigbo President-General and the traditional rulers to deploy their influence and leadership positions to calm tensions and prevent the disagreement from deepening divisions among Igbo leaders.
As a possible way forward, the elder statesman proposed a closed-door meeting involving the key actors, with the participation of some leading traditional rulers, to facilitate dialogue and find an immediate resolution.
“Perhaps you may invite them for a closed-door discussion with you and some of our leading traditional rulers,” he suggested.
He urged the Igbo leadership to take whatever immediate measures necessary to halt further damage, expressing the need to protect the unity, dignity and collective interests of Ndigbo.
The appeal comes amid tensions surrounding the political relationship between Governor Soludo and Obi, whose national political profile has made their interactions a subject of considerable public interest.
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