Politician To Colleagues: ‘Maintain Low Profile While Abroad’ To Avoid The Ekweremadu Treatment

Senator Shehu Sani, who represented Kaduna Central in the 8th National Assembly, has advised his fellow politicians to maintain a low profile anytime they travel outside Nigeria to avoid being attacked like the immediate past Deputy Senate President, Dr Ike Ekweremadu. 

Ekweremadu, who currently represents Enugu West in the 9th Senate, had been attacked on Saturday in Germany by members of the Indegenous People of Biafra (IPOB) during the Second Annual Cultural Festival and Convention organised by Ndi-Igbo Germany. 

Shehu, in his reaction to the incident on Monday evening, said the IPOB members have set a dangerous precedent for aggressors against Nigerian politicians travelling abroad. 

“In view of the mob action against Ekwerenmadu,a dangerous precedent has been set,it’s for everyone in the position of power to take caution;maintain a low profile while abroad & avoid  invitation to swim in seemingly calm crocodiles pools,” the Senator said in a tweet. 

The IPOB members said to be protesting insecurity in Nigeria’s South East were seen in a video trending on social media on Saturday pelting the former Deputy Senate President with stones and other objects. The incident received wide condemnation from different quarters. 

In his reaction, Ekweremadu 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.

He added, “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 South East 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.”