15:T7da,

Anambra State Governor, Mr. Peter Obi, has condemned the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Chris Ngige, and his party for making their flag-off campaign for the November 16 election to clash with the annual Ofala festival in Onitsha.

Obi, who led a strong All Progresives Grand Alliance (APGA) delegation to the festival yesterday, expressed surprise that Ngige, despite being aware of the significance of the Ofala, allowed his party to fix the rally at Onitsha the same day the Obi of Onitsha was performing the Ofala. He said if any politician, including Ngige, would try such in APC-controlled state.

Obi recalled that APGA shifted its governorship rally from Tuesday, the 8^th, to Monday, the 7th, as a mark of respect for the Igwe of Onitsha, Dr. Alfred Achebe, and Onitsha people in general. He called on Anambra people to respect the traditional institution. He said that a dog bears the name given it by its owner and that it behoves Igbos to stand up firmly and insist that their traditional institution must be accorded full respect at all times.

As reported last night by News Express, Igwe Achebe was miffed by the action of Ngige and APC, promptly placing a curse on them. While rounding up his Ofala festival yesterday, the Obi said it was very disrespectful for a political party, in spite almost one year notice for the Ofala to fix their rally the same day. He angrily struck his ofor thrice on the ground and spoke in Igbo, saying: “Onye mejoo ani, ochuba ya”, meaning: “He who goes contrary to tradition will have himself hunted.”

News Express reports that APC chieftains led by interim chair Chief Bisi Akande and former Lagos State Governor Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu were among those present as Ngige launched his campaign at the Holy Trinity grounds in Onitsha.

•Photo shows APC nambra guber candidate, Senator Chris Ngige.

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