By PAMELA EBOH, Awka

A group known as Onitsha Ado Media Group has expressed dismay about the rumour making the round that His Majesty, the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Alfred Achebe, was ‘summoned’ to visit Atiku in Awka.

It described the rumour as outright falsehood.

The group noted that “His Majesty sits on the throne of Eze Chima, and as the Obi of Onitsha, the Jewel of the Lordly Niger, he traditionally receives Presidents, past and present, presidential aspirants, foreign dignitaries, notable personalities, the people of Onicha Ado N’Idu at home.”

It recalled that in order to create a level playing field, that the council decided that it would grant audience to all presidential candidates during its meetings at Awka.

The media group said: “It would be recalled that the council had some months ago similarly granted audience to the Labour Party presidential candidate, Mr. Peter Obi, in the same room in which it met Mr. Atiku yesterday.

“All courtesy calls are paid at the Ime Obi Ezechima Palace, and anything outside the Palace is not considered a courtesy call.

“Agbogidi, the Obi of Onitsha is the Chairman, Anambra State Traditional Rulers Council (ASTRC), and in his capacity as Chairman, he regularly hosts meetings of the state’s traditional rulers to discuss issues affecting individual communities, the state and Igbo land at large as well as how to advance the development of Anambra State.

“ASTRC has its headquarters in Awka, and yesterday, as part of its regular meeting, received the former Vice President and Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar as a guest.

“If the PDP Presidential candidate or any other candidate for that matter had requested to be so received, His Majesty would have been duty bound to oblige. This is in line with his customary role as father of all.”

It urged the people of Onicha Ado N’Idu, as well as its friends and well wishers worldwide to disregard any information to the contrary.