Abia guber candidate visits Nnamdi Kanu’s home
* Blames Ikpeazu, vows to do this if…
By Steve Oko
The Abia State governorship candidate of the Young People Party, YPP, Mr. Joseph Nkoro, has visited the Afaraukwu palace of HRM, Eze Israel Kanu the father of the Leader of the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra, Nnamdi kanu.
Nkoro who stormed the palace Monday with his running mate, Prince Okpere Ndo; YPP state Chairman, Mr. Uzo Nwoko; and other top leaders of the party, said he was at the palace on condolence visit.
He said he came to condole with the palace and Afaraukwu community over the military invasion of the area during Operation Python Dance ll, and subsequent raids by security operatives.
The governorship candidate strongly condemned the raid on the palace which he said amounted to desecration of the traditional institution.
He also said he came to show his sympathy over the recent arrest and detention of Jewish worshipers peaceful protest.
Nkoro expressed shock that the Abia State Government had yet to identify with the palace since after the raid and the disappearance of the traditional ruler.
He pleaded with Gov Okezie Ikpeazu to spare no efforts indentifying the whereabouts of Kanu’s father and restore him to his throne.
Prince Emmanuel pointing at a window shattered by bullet during the raid.
He accused government of showing no regard for the traditional institution, vowing to change the narrative if voted into power.
The governorship hopeful who said he was not at the palace for campaigns however explained that he decided to join the race because of what he called criminal silence of the elders over the many wrongs in the state.
He regretted that instead of confronting those in charge of the affairs of the state over their impunity and misrule, the elders have maintained undignifying silence, hence , his decision to join the guber race so as to right the wrongs.
Asked later in an interview why it took him over one year to condole with the family since after the raid, Nkoro said he was outside the country during the Operation Python Dance ll ,adding that he had earlier condemned the raid through the media.
On the recent arrest of Jewish adherents who were on peaceful march in solidarity for Biafra restoration, Nkoro said it was wrong to persecute people based on their religion.
Responding, the Traditional Prime Minister of Afaraukwu community, Chief Chimechefulam Odoemelam, thanked the governorship candidate for identifying with the community.
He said things had not remained the same in the community since the disappearance of their monarch.
He said a lot of innocent lives were lost during the military raid on the palace and appealed to government to help them locate the whereabouts of their missing Eze and his wife.
Odoemelam however said the community would not stop any party or candidate from comming to canvass support in the area.
He prayed that God might give the state a true leader and not a ruler.
The governorship candidate was later conducted round the palace by the Eze in council to see the damage by security operatives during the raid.
Conducting him round the palace Nnamdi’s younger brother, Prince Emmanuel Kanu, painfully narrated how unarmed Biafran agitators guarding the compound were murdered by the invaders.
According to him over 28 agitators including his cousin were killed within the compound besides others who escaped with bullet wounds and died later in the bush.
He also narrated how bullets shattered Nnamdi’s bedroom and wardrobes as well as windows and walls of his father’s house.
Emmanuel accused the invaders of killing their dog and carting away various property of his father including foodstuff.
” They looted the palace “, he said while fighting back tears.
He also said he was yet to set his eyes on his parents since after the raid.
The young Kanu said Nigeria had no regards for Ndigbo wondering why his father’s palace would be invaded without provocation.
He also regretted that Nigeria had proved to be unworkable despite pretensions by the leaders.
” Nigeria is not a nation but a country without common value system and cannot work together”, he said.
He further regretted that Gov. Okezie Ikpeazu had not visited the palace since the invasion despite the fact that the community hosts the state seat of power.
Prince Emmanuel who said he had no confidence in Nigeria, therefore, told the Governorship candidate to spread the story of his findings to others.
End
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