The All Progressives Congress caucus in Ezeagu Local Government Area of Enugu State on Sunday urged the Deputy Senate President, Mr. Ike Ekweremadu, to stop dragging the name of the local government and that of the Igbo in general into his travails.
Ezeagu LGA is in Enugu West Senatorial Zone, where Ekweremadu represents in the Senate.
Ekweremadu is currently facing trial alongside the Senate President, Bukola Saraki, for allegedly forging the Senate Rules 2015.
At an event organised by Ekweremadu in Ezeagu on Saturday, 30 traditional rulers from the area backed the Deputy Senate President, warning the Federal Government to desist from prosecuting him.
The monarchs equally condemned moves being made by the APC to remove Ekweremadu as the Deputy Senate President.
Speaking on behalf of the traditional rulers, Igwe Hafford Agana said, “We are telling the whole world that nothing should happen to Ekweremadu.
“We have given him another Offor staff (symbol of authority in Igboland) today.”
However, reacting to the development, the APC caucus in the local council, led by the state Publicity Secretary, Mrs. Kate Ofor; the Legal Adviser of the APC, Enugu West Senatorial Zone, Anayo Iyama; Chief Chibuike Obu and Robinson Anyanechi, advised Ekweremadu to face his trial.
They argued that Ekweremadu should not drag his constituents into a matter which was before a court of competent jurisdiction.
In a statement, the Ezeagu APC leaders said, “Our understanding of the issue at stake is that some senators, labelled Unity Forum, felt aggrieved after the June 9, 2015 Senate leadership election and thereafter alleged that the Senate Rules book was doctored by Senator Ekweremadu and his cohorts.
“The Unity Forum reported the matter to the police; after investigation, the matter was filed in court by the Attorney General of the Federation.
“To us, it is only the court which can resolve the matter either way.
“We had thought that Senator Ekweremadu, as a senior lawyer, could have devoted more attention to how best to assemble the best legal team to quash the matter instead of dragging Ndigbo into his legal tangle.
“To us, Ekweremadu is being sentimental and hysterical over the matter as if he is not sure-footed, especially when the Senate leadership is jostling for immunity clause at this critical junction.
“He should be careful before his trajectory crosses the red line of contempt of the court.”
According to the Ezeagu APC caucus, Ekweremadu had not used his elevated position to attract development to the South-East.
PUNCH NG
