Lawan Condemns IPOB’s Attack on Ekweremadu, Says It Debases Nigerian Values

Senate President Ahmad Lawan has strongly condemned the attack on former Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu in Nuremberg, Germany, describing the incident as shameful, barbaric and inconsistent with the values of a civilised society.

Ekweremadu was scheduled to deliver a keynote address at the Second Igbo Annual Cultural Festival and Convention organised by Ndi-Igbo Germany when a group of people who identified themselves as members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) disrupted the event and attacked him.

Reacting to the incident, Lawan said it was unreasonable to blame Ekweremadu for the insecurity and violent criminal activities affecting parts of the South-East, which were reportedly among the grievances cited by the attackers.

He maintained that Ekweremadu, like other members of the Senate, had expressed concern about insecurity in the South-East and other parts of the country and had participated in efforts aimed at finding lasting solutions.

Lawan described the attack as particularly disturbing because Ekweremadu had been invited to an event intended to discuss the progress and wellbeing of the Igbo people.

According to the Senate President, physically attacking a political leader at such a gathering undermined the values Nigerians should uphold, irrespective of disagreements with elected officials.

He called on Nigerians to condemn the incident and urged the German authorities to identify those responsible and ensure that appropriate legal action was taken.

Lawan also advised Nigerians, particularly young people, to express their grievances through lawful and democratic means rather than resorting to violence.

He stressed that political dissatisfaction or disagreement should be addressed through dialogue, peaceful protest and other channels permitted by law.

The Senate President further urged Ekweremadu not to allow the incident to discourage him from continuing to serve his constituents, the South-East and Nigeria.

Lawan described the experience as one of the challenges that could accompany public leadership and encouraged the former Deputy Senate President to remain committed to public service despite the attack.