Igbo Elders Warn Against Attack On Akunyili

Elders of Igbo extraction under the aegis of Ohanaeze Ndigbo have warned against any attack on the Minister of Information and Communication, Professor Dora Akunyili, over her views on President Umaru Yar’Adua’s health.

 Akunyili had submitted a memo to the Federal Executive Council seeking official hand-over of power from Yar’Adua to Vice President Goodluck Jonathan, which had attracted attacks from members of the council and other politicians.

 Spokesman of Igbo Elders and first Minister for Aviation, Chief Mbazurike Amaechi, while reacting to the issue, said “Ohanaeze Ndigbo has taken a definite stand on this situation and we shall be coming up stronger soon.

 “Nobody shall continue to take this country for granted any more.”

  Amaechi further contended that Akunyilis action was rather courageous and should be commended, adding that any further attack on her would be met with resistance. “As one of the remaining founding fathers of this country, I cannot remain mute when I see clear signs that the nation which great nationalists and patriots shed their blood to found is gravely threatened.  

 “What is happening now is an ominous threat to corporate continuation of the Nigerian Federation” I feel so proud of Akunyili’s boldness. I was impressed with her role in NAFDAC and had my misgiving when she was deployed to the FEC but God has revealed why she was sent there.

 “Akunyili is there as the pride of this nation. Anybody attacking her in any form should be seen as enemy of this country and should be flushed out. This country does not belong to any region or individual”, he said.

   He argued that constitution provides that the Vice President should take over the affairs of the country in a situation where the president is unable to perform his responsibility.