My father indeed held a meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari to discuss the issue of Nigeria’s unity and its indivisibility, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu’s first son, Emeka Ojukwu (Jr), has declared.
Ojukwu made the clarification following a report in the social media that the claim by the president in his Monday broadcast that he met with Ojukwu over Nigeria’s unity was cooked up.
Speaking with journalists on Wednesday in Awka, Anambra State, he refuted the claim that he granted an interview disputing Buhari’s statement.
His words: “My late father actually held the said meeting with Buhari before his demise and all that Buhari said in his nationwide broadcast were true.
“It has been brought to my attention that there is an article making the rounds on social media attributed to me refuting the remarks of Mr. President concerning his relationship and discussions with my late father.
“Let me state the following categorically; firstly, that I made no such comments to anybody, and secondly that I am aware that His Excellency’s comments were indeed factual,’’ he said.
Ojukwu who expressed worry over the spread of false news wondered what those behind such moves were out to achieve.
“I don’t know who is behind this report attributed to me and what their motivation might be, any time I feel to comment on any matter, I do so publicly and not via some anonymous email,’’ he said.
He urged members of the public to disregard the story credited to him on the issue in the social media, warning that he would not take it lightly with anyone found to be behind it.
During his Monday broadcast shortly after he returned from medical vacation in London, Buhari spoke on the unity of Nigeria, declaring that it could not be negotiated.
He warned those fanning the embers of discord in the country to desist from it, stressing that Nigeria would be great as a united country and not as a divided one.
Buttressing his argument and explaining the commitment of the present and former leaders of the country to the unity of the nation, Buhari cited the example of a meeting he held with Ojukwu sometime ago.
According to Buhari, “In 2003 after I joined partisan politics, the late Chief Emeka Ojukwu came and stayed as my guest in my hometown Daura. Over two days we discussed in great depth till late into the night and analyzed the problems of Nigeria. We both came to the conclusion that the country must remain one and united.
“Nigeria’s unity is settled and not negotiable. We shall not allow irresponsible elements to start trouble and when things get bad they run away and saddle others with the responsibility of bringing back order, if necessary with their blood.’’
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