Ojukwu Snubs SSS, Says Life in Danger
From Emmanuel Ugwu in Enugu and Chuks Okocha in Abuja
Ikemba Nnewi, Chief Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, yesterday refused to honour the invitation by the State Security Service (SSS) for him to meet with its director in Abuja.
Ojukwu, however, said he took the decision out of fear for his life because he has information that the Federal Government is plotting to assassinate him and the leader of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB), Mr. Ralph Uwazurike.
He made the allegation while briefing newsmen at his residence in Enugu, where he claimed that some operatives of the Directorate of Military Intelligence (DMI) have already been detailed to carry out the plot.
"Already it has come to my notice that the government has detailed people from the DMI to assassinate the leader of MASSOB, Chief Ralph Uwazurike and myself. I do not know where this orgy of bloodletting would lead us to," Ojukwu said.
The Ikemba, who was giving details of his face-off with the SSS over his confessed support for the MASSOB, said he would not honour the invitation to meet the director of SSS at Abuja for fear of his life.
"I have refused to go to Abuja on this occasion because of the prevalent killings particularly of political figures in the political arena," the ex-Biafran leader said.
He justified his fears by citing the numerous high profile murders that were yet to be resolved, including the murder of Chief Bola Ige, Dr Chuba Okadigbo, Chief Marshall Harry, Professor Chimere Ikoku, Chief Victor Nwankwo, Chief Aminoasari Dikibo, among others.
Narrating the events that led to the SSS invitation, Ojukwu stated that on the morning of Monday September 13, 2004, "one certain Mr. Duru" brought a Sosoliso Airline ticket number 551273 to facilitate his journey to honour the SSS invitation at Abuja.
"Gentlemen of the press, the SSS presented me with a one-way economy ticket to Abuja. Gentlemen of the press you can now read your own meaning to this - it is intended that I go to Abuja without honour and never to return. I wish to state before all of you that I have no intention whatsoever of going to answer this spurious call of SSS in Abuja," he said.
The All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) presidential candidate further defended his refusal to honour the SSS invitation by saying that former heads of state, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida and Gen Muhammadu Buhari both refused to appear before the Human Rights Violation Commission (Oputa panel) despite several invitations "and the heavens did not fall nor were they compelled to do so."
He explained that if things were "properly done in accordance with democratic norms under the rule of law, and there was a warrant he could even "give them my hands to be hand-cuffed."
"I was prepared to co-operate with the authority within the laws of Nigeria. I made it clear that I will obey any summons properly issued. I would in any matter co-operate with the Nigerian authority provided the agent is properly introduced and mandated," he stated.
The ex-Biafran leader, who was invited to Abuja by SSS last Wednesday, said the invitation "had an air of informality and unseriousness." He said the purpose was not disclosed to him either.
"Until now," he said, "I have not been given the privilege of knowing for certain who wants me. Neither has any indication been given to me of the probable subject for our discussion. From the newspapers, I gather that the authorities take exception to general support for Biafra and MASSOB, an organization which in a non-violent manner seeks the re-establishment of the Republic of Biafra."
Ojukwu restated his support for MASSOB and added that President Olusegun Obasanjo remained the only person who can explain the antagonism, which the Nigerian authorities hold for the movement.
According to him, Uwazurike was a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and supported Obasanjo's campaign. He added that Uwazurike "was a militant for President Obasanjo in that campaign" before "they parted ways as it frequently happens in politics for reasons we do not know."
"Ralph Uwazurike is no criminal; he has not been convicted of any crime; he is no lunatic, he has not been certified one. Ralph Uwazurike is purely and simply a young man disgusted and frustrated by General Obasanjo's governance. It is significant, as it appears that millions of Nigerians are with him," Ojukwu said.
Apparently sensing the impending showdown he was about to commence against the authorities, Ojukwu called on United Nations (UN) Secretary General, Kofi Annan, heads of state of the African Union, Nelson Mandela, former South Africa other world leaders and human rights organisations "to prevail on General Obasanjo to halt the senseless killings, to plead with General Obasanjo to stop this harassment, intimidation and humiliation of Ndigbo, including myself."
Scores of members of MASSOB demonstrated at the gate of Ikemba in solidarity during the press briefing.
Attempts to speak to the Public Relation Officials of the SSS proved abortive, as he could neither be reached on phone or office.
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