By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

Mr Christian Aburime, Press Secretary to Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, over the weekend called on veteran actor, Kenneth Okonkwo, to apologise to the Governor and the entire Igbo nation for denigrating their great and cherished language on the altar of exuberant partisanship.

Aburime spoke on the heels of Okonkwo’s appearance on Channel’s Television, where he maligned the state Soludo.

He said that Okonkwo has no moral ground to speak for a group that claims to be preaching the message of new Nigeria, describing him as part of the problems government at all levels including that of Prof. Soludo are trying to solve.

Aburime said: “Our attention has been drawn to the clip of an interview Kenneth Okonkwo granted to Channels TV where he used gutter language on Prof Chukwuma Soludo, a world class Economist, technocrats and governor of the great state of Anambra.

“In the video he described Soludo as a local gossip and tried to defend the said investment by Peter Obi which the former governor has not disagreed with Soludo as regards his current depleted market

“I want to say that Okonkwo is a disgrace to spokesmanship and I sympathise with the Labor Party which left professional image makers in the country and found a movie actor as a suitable candidate.

“The party should have known that presidential campaign spokesmanship is not Nollywood, they should have done a good background check to ensure that people who speak for them are not morally bankrupt.

“I will not dwell much on a man whose major impact in Nollywood is the killing of the values of hard work, industry and respect the Igbo man is known for, and the promotion of cultism and money rituals, a misguided narrative which had bastardised the psyche of our youths and destroyed the social fabric.

“Kenneth ‘Andy” Okonkwo is both a burden and an embarrassment to the Peter Obi campaign organisation.”

He urged Okonkwo to stop denigrating the office of the State Governor for cheap popularity stunts.

Speaking further in the interview with journalists, Aburime said the alleged misunderstanding between his principal and the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, was not personal, saying that both men remain great sons of Anambra State and had moved on as brothers.

While saying that it is necessary to put the veteran actor in his right place, the governor's media aide expressed sadness that Okonkwo is unaware that Mgba-Afo is the name given to a girl born on Afo market day in Igbo land.

“Why will he insult the entire Igbo race by trying to mislead the world that the names that promote their cultural identity means gossip.

“If he is a true Igbo son, he should have known that Mgba-Eke, Mgba-Orie, Mgba-Nkwo and Mgba-Afo are traditional names which only proud Igbo sons and daughters like Soludo will promote. What is wrong in saying he is a son of a woman born on Afo market day?

“As a government, the Soludo administration remain focused on making Anambra a peaceful and livable homeland and will not be distracted with wannabes like Okonkwo,” Aburime added.

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