Bar Bianca Ojukwu, wife of the late Biafran warlord, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, on Monday wondered why the Anambra state governor, Willie Obiano, has kept away from attending the memorial lecture of her late husband for a second consecutive time despite being one of the highest beneficiaries of his legacy.

Speaking at the second memorial lecture of the late patriarch held at the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University (COOU), Igbariam, Anambra State, Bianca urged the Governor not to erode the legacy of her late husband especially as it concerns the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

She stressed that there was no evil spirit at the venue of the event for the Governor to avoid attending the event.

The former Nigerian ambassador to Spain said: “This is the second time the event is holding and Obiano doesn’t want to attend by himself. Tell Obiano that there is no evil spirit in the venue of Ojukwu memorial lecture.

“Lastly, tell him that he is gratuitously handing over the credentials for history to call him an ingrate, who step on fingers of all the benefactors that held the ladder for him to climb to political power.”

She further hailed former Gov. Peter Obi for renaming the institution after her late husband who was not only a hero in life but also in death.

In his speech, the Deputy Governor of the state, Dr Nkem Okeke, said Obiano’s absence was not intentional but due to other official engagements.

“It is unfortunate that Obiano has not attended the memorial lecture since it started last year, but that is not to say that he will not attend. The governor still has time in office and could still attend in future.”

Delivering the memorial lecture titled: ‘Ndigbo in the Contemporary Nigerian Politics, Problems, Prospects And Way Forward,’ a former Deputy Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria, Prof. Kingsley Muoghalu, said that Igbo people must be given equal treatment like other tribes in the country.

He regretted that the effect of the Nigeria-Biafra war had held the nation backward due to inability on the side of the leaders to address the matters arising.

Muoghalu called on major actors of the Nigerian civil war like retired Gen. Yakubu Gowon to rise up and speak to heal wounds saying that such action will ensure lasting peace.

In his address, the Chairman of the lecture and former Deputy Senate President, Dr Ike Ekweremadu, called for restructuring of the country and introduction of state police.

He explained that only restructuring and de-centralisation of the police were the key factors to addressing the mirage of problems plaguing the nation.

On his part, one of the board members of APGA, Rommy Ezeonwuka, condemned the statement made by Bianca Ojukwu saying: “I am disappointed the way and manner late Ojukwu’s wife labeled the state governor in public as an ingrate.

“I am saddened by it. She is a member of Board of Trustee of APGA which her husband founded.”

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