The Igbo group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo yesterday came in defence of Ekweremadu, warning that any attempt to malign him would be stoutly resisted by the people of the South-east zone.
Secretary General of the organisation, Dr. Joe Nwaorgu, who made this known while reacting to media reports regarding the alleged threat on the life of the lawmaker, said any attempt to either ridicule or tarnish the integrity of Ekweremadu on account of his election as a presiding officer of the Senate would not be tolerated.
The organisation said anybody threatening to harm Ekweremadu on account of the position he currently occupies should be ready to face the consequences, as he enjoys the strong support of his people who are ready to defend him anytime and any day.
Nwaorgu said that it was a well known fact that Ndigbo voted massively for the PDP in the last election and they are ready to stand by those they elected to represent them at various levels of government.
“We are watching closely what is happening at the national level and we want to let the world know that we are solidly behind our son, Senator Ike Ekweremadu.
“I am saying it loud and clear that Senator Ekweremadu, who was duly elected by his colleague as Deputy President of the Senate, is owned by a people and his people, Ndigbo, are solidly behind him because they (Ndigbo) voted for the PDP.
“The grand standing by those seeking patronage from the ruling All Progressives Congress does not bother us. We stand by our choice without regrets. Let it be known to all that Ndigbo should not be taken for granted,” the group said.
The organisation dismissed claims by some APC senators that Ekweremadu was not properly elected, saying: “If he was not properly elected, why should the election of Senator Bukola Saraki conducted at the same time, same day, same venue and by the same people be upheld as flawless?”
Continuing, the Ohanaeze scribe said: “Moreover the executive has no lien on the legislators because they are independent and at liberty to elect anybody they like to lead them, which they have done.
“The party (APC) has no business with the election of presiding officers of the National Assembly and they should avoid overheating the polity.
“They should also know that President Muhammadu Buhari belongs to all Nigerians and not the APC alone. Therefore, the party has no right to say that they have the sole right to dictate what should happen at the National Assembly or in the country.”
He urged the APC-led federal government to concentrate on implementing its agenda in order to move the nation forward, stressing that it was not in its interest to kick-start the government with a crisis.
