ENUGU, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- Some youths on Sunday in Owerri, the Imo State capital protested the comment by a former Governor, Emeka Ihedioha, against the person of Peter Obi of the Labour Party and his supporters as saboteurs.
Ihedioha, while in Accra, Ghana to celebrate this year’s Iri Ji festival with the Mbaise community was quoted to have described anybody who votes for Peter Obi as saboteur, instead of the presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Atiku Abubakar.
He has since apologised and said that his comments weren’t directed at Ndigbo.
Ihedioha in a statement by his media aide, Chibuike Onyeukwu on Wednesday maintained that Obi was his long-time friend with whom he shared close political affinity.
The statement partly read: “For clarity purposes, His Excellency, neither referred to members of any other political party, especially the Labour Party as saboteurs. He only spoke in the context of the PDP and the emphasis was on the need for members of his party to remain consistent and committed.
“It is inconceivable that he will refer to anybody who is supporting Mr. Peter Obi, Presidential Candidate of the Labour Party, his long time friend, with whom he shares close political affinity and has utmost respect for, as a saboteur.
“It is unfortunate that his well-intentioned speech which addressed the specific issue of happenings within his own political party was, again, manipulated by fifth columnists to suit their mischievous scheme of bringing him on a collision with Mr. Peter Obi.”
However, the statement attributed to the Mbutu Mbaise-born former Deputy Speaker drew the anger of Imo residents.
The protesting youths under the aegis of Coalition for Peter Obi claimed that he insulted the sensitivity of the Igbo people.
The youths were seen carrying placards with various inscriptions like, “We no be Sabo”, “Peter Obi is the best”, “I am not a saboteur”, “Equity and Competence favors Obi,”among others.