For fear that the ill-health of the Ikemba of Nnewi, Dim Odumegwu Ojukwu, might endanger its political fortune in the South-East, the camp of the former chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Nuhu Ribadu, is fervently praying to God to quickly heal the former Biafra warlord.
For fear that the ill-health of the Ikemba of Nnewi, Dim Odumegwu Ojukwu, might endanger its political fortune in the South-East, the camp of the former chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Nuhu Ribadu, is fervently praying to God to quickly heal the former Biafra warlord.
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An official of the campaign told SaharaReporters that Ribadu and managers of his campaign “are seriously disturbed” by Ojukwu’s illness.
“Although, most Nigerians do not know, Chief Ojukwu is one of our strongest backers in his (Ribadu's) candidacy,” he said. “He is one of our top strategists and Nigeria really needs him now more than ever before.”
“The man is the rallying point for Ndigbo and one of the most consistent and courageous fighters for change in our country. We are praying hard for his quick recovery.”
SaharaReporters learnt that Ojukwu had long before his recent illness thrown his weight behind Ribadu’s presidential aspiration.
A source close to the ailing warlord said Ojukwu had worked very hard-since a private meeting with Ribadu in the US last-rallying his party, the All Peoples Grand Alliance, (APGA) and southeast leaders behind Ribadu, a presidential aspirant of the opposition Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).
He was said to have convinced the leadership of APGA that rather than field a presidential candidate for the forthcoming election, the platform should be used to aggressively garner support for Ribadu’s presidential bid.
Ojukwu also reportedly requested the chairman of his party (APGA), Chief Victor Umeh, to continue to play active role in the former EFCC chairman’s campaign. Umeh attended Ribadu’s book presentation ceremony in Abuja in December.
After anointing the former EFCC chief, Chief Ojukwu seconded one of his most reliable aides to the Ribadu campaign headquarters in Abuja as a practical demonstration of his support. The aide, Dr. Sunny Ugochukwu, is now Ribadu’s national director of campaign.
When contacted, spokesperson of the Ribadu campaign, Chido Onumah, confirmed that Ojukwu was an important figure to his organization.
He however added, “But for now, we are not so much concerned about his role in our campaign. He is a national figure, a statesman. We just want him to get well, campaign or no campaign. It is only when he is well that we can begin to talk about campaign.”
Ojukwu was flown to an undisclosed hospital in the United Kingdom on December 23 after spending a few days at the intensive care unit of the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital where he was admitted after he suffered a stroke.
The Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, and APGA Chairman, Victor Umeh, said a few days later that Ojukwu’s health had improved but the exact hospital where he is being treated is still being kept secret.
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