…As group demands apology from Bianca over public misconduct
Ebelechukwu, wife of the former governor of Anambra State Willie Obiano, has formally tendered an apology to Governor Chukwuma Soludo.
Ebelechukwu’s apology is over the slapping incident involving her and Bianca, widow of Dim Chukwuemeka Odemegwu Ojukwu during Soludo’s inauguration at the State House, Awka last Thursday.
As seen in viral videos from the event, the former First Lady had walked majestically from her seat to where Bianca was seated, and was seen speaking some words that obviously got Bianca angry.
And in reaction, Bianca had got up from her seat and slapped Ebelechukwu, before security personnel intervened to avert an escalation of the matter.
The former First Lady, in a statement conveying her apology to Soludo and other notable personalities present at the event, noted that there was no justification for the public embarrassment that happened on the day.
“Those who know me can testify that before and throughout my eight years as the First Lady of State, I pursued peace, promoted philanthropic gestures which empowered many of our less privileged people. No excuse can therefore be tenable as justification for such public embarrassment, no matter the height of provocation.
“Equally, I wish to extend the same apology to all the important dignitaries, the people of Anambra State, as well as the entire Ndigbo for that unintended embarrassment at the occasion.”
Meanwhile, a group – Justice and Accountability For All – has asked Bianca Ojukwu to tender an apology for her public conduct during the altercation she had with Ebele Obiano.
The group, in a statement signed by its National Coordinator and Secretary, Mr. John Ifeanyi and Camela Jude, in Abuja on Wednesday, described Bianca’s conduct as despicable and disrespectful to Ndigbo and the friends of Ndigbo.
The statement read: “The wife of Ikemba should be virtuous; she should possess the highest mentality of a mother of Ndigbo nation, a role model to young and old; she should be the worthiest example of womanhood, commanding respect, honour and dignity in private and public places, something larger than life image of her husband, the legend. But no, not Bianca.
“Why should a wife of the great Ikemba be so proud of her despicable action when she disrespected Ndigbo and friends of Ndigbo to the point of celebrating the incident on a live TV interview? No. Something must be definitely wrong.
“If Bianca has any modicum of decorum and decency at all, she should come out openly and apologize to former Governors of Anambra State, Osodieme, Soludo, Anambra and Nigeria. Bianca’s action is a moral tragedy. We condemn it and ask that elders of Ndigbo should call her to order.”