Chairman of Elders Forum of the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu has debunked the news making the rounds that he described Yoruba Politicians as rascals.
Iwuanyanwu made this known while reacting to the said story about a comment he made during his outing at Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s one year in office event in Awka, Anambra State, weekend.
In a statement he personally signed ttitled: “Refutal Of Malicious and Wicked Fake News in the Social Media,” the elder statesman dissociated himself from the story, describing it as a fake news maliciously manipulated and circulated on social media by blackmailers and referred the public to watch the true video recording of his statement as captured by Arise News and Channels Television that covered the event in Awka.
Iwuanyanwu explained that his statement was in connection with attack of Igbo people in Lagos over their choices of candidates in the just concluded elections.
“My attention has been drawn to a fake news circulating on social media completely misrepresenting the statement I made at Awka Anambra State in connection to the killings, destructions of properties and harassment of Igbos in Lagos during the recent elections. My statement was covered live by Arise News, Channels Television and many other electronic and print media houses. All Nigerians of goodwill who cares should get the true transcript of my statement from any of these media houses.
“I want to make it abundantly clear that at no time did I make the statement credited to me by blackmail circulating on the social media that Yorubas are political rascals as this was fraudulently manipulated.
“I want to warn all perpetrators of this fake news that it is a criminal offence to circulate fake news against a peace-loving Nigerian.
For the avoidance of doubt, I am a senior citizen who has meritoriously served Nigeria,” Iwuanyanwu added.
He said that he has great respect for the Yoruba people and did not say that “Yorubas are political rascals.”
“In my State Imo, I have been honoured with Grand Commander State of Imo (GCSI). By this my name is in the hall of fame in Imo State.
“The Seven Igbo Speaking States namely: Rivers, Delta, Imo, Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi and Enugu States have also honoured me with the Traditional Title of Ahaejiagamba Ndigbo.
“I am indeed the first Igbo man to be so honoured. As a professional Engineer, I have been honoured with numerous merit Awards including institution of an annual lecture series in my name by my Colleagues in appreciation of my contributions to Engineering, Science Society and Humanity.
“I am the Grand Patron of many youth organizations in the Country. Most of my close friends who have influenced my business and professional life are from Northern and Western parts of Nigeria.
For instance, “I am the Balogun Babaguwan of Ibadan land. I have also been honoured with Chieftaincy titles by numerous Yoruba Obas. I am no doubt an honorary citizen of Yoruba land. I have many personal friends and staff of my various companies including directors who are Yorubas.
“Most of them played major roles in shaping my economic destiny. I therefore do not have any reason whatsoever to insult Yoruba tribe whom I regard with great respect.
“What I did at the ceremony was to admonish Igbos who felt threatened by various attacks in Lagos that they have no cause to worry because there are no problems between Igbos and Yorubas.
“I therefore told them to stay in Lagos and go about their normal businesses. I did however mention to them that the attackers are political rascals and their action does not reflect the good relationship between Yorubas and Igbos.
“Having said this, on a personal note, I must comment as follows:
I felt very sad that a Nigerian should be denied his democratic right to vote any candidate of his choice because of his tribe.
“What happened to Igbos in Lagos was in the press and Igbos are very grateful to those distinguished and well meaning Yorubas who rose up to speak against the killings, injuries and destruction of properties of Igbos in Lagos only because they voted the candidates of their choice.”
He said that Igbos supported different candidates of their choice in Lagos, including the incumbent governor, who according to him, many believed had done well and deserved a second term.
He however, noted that “free to choose, work for, and vote for any political party of their choice and that’s why Igbos are virtually in all the political parties in the Country.”
He urged Yoruba stakeholders to fish out those painting them in bad light, by causing ethnic aggression.
