I Didn’t Disrespect Igwe Orizu, Oraifite-Nnewi Are Eternal Brothers — Dike
Chief Vincent Dike, Candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) for Ekwusigo/Nnewi North/Nnewi South Federal Constituency in Anambra says he never stopped Igwe Kenneth Orizu of Nnewi from performance kola ritual at anytime or place.
Dike made the clarification in a Statement entitled “Re: Malicious And False Narrative Against Sir Vin Dike, Setting The Record Straight” made available on Tuesday.
A faceless writer had alleged that Dike stopped Igwe Orizu from performing a kolanut breaking ceremony during an event at the permanent site of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH) based on a dispute between Oraifite and Nnewi.
The poster described the incident as a humiliation of the Nnewi people and called on the electorate not to vote for the APGA candidate.
But Dilke who is the President General of Oraifite Community and Chairman of Anambra Council of Presidents General described the information as fabricated and figment of the imagination of the writer.
The Statement issued by Vin Dike media team said he never stopped Igwe Orizu from performing kolanut rites in any event or anytime.
He said, rather than disrespect the revered traditional ruler, he gave up his own seat to accommodate the monarch’s cabinet members who arrived late to the event adding that no kolanut was presented or broken.
He explained that the traditional ruler performed the kola function when the CMD led them to Igwe Orizu’s palace in the morning and that the Nnewi traditional ruler was not seated when kolanuts were presented in the afternoon.
When kolanuts were presented, the visiting monarch (Igwe Dr. Chukwuemeka Ilouno of Ifitedunu) began to handle them but Sir Vin Dike politely raised a cultural observation with the CMD and the royal father.
“He said custom forbids a traditional ruler from a distant land from performing kolanut rites within Anaedo soil which was why a Rev. Fr. blessed the kolanut.
“Sir Vin Dike maintained his cultural stance in a civilised, peaceful manner, entirely devoid of thuggery or confrontation.
“It is deeply unfortunate that a faceless author would distort a civil, culturally grounded observation to score cheap political points.
“At no point did the Minister of Health and Social Welfare hold any discussion with Igwe Kenneth Orizu regarding kolanut rites, nor was any apology rendered because no offense was committed.
Dike said Oraifite and Nnewi Communities who have coexisted cordially for centuries were not in court over NAUTH.
He said the disagreement over ownership of the hospital site was between Enugwu Eziora in Ozubulu, Irefi in Oraifite and select kindreds in Akammili, Nnewi who were already sorting out the matter in court.
He condemned the attempt to weaponise the issues to sow discord between brothers recalling that Oraifite supported the election of Sen. Ikechukwu Obiora, Mr Chris Azubogu, and late Sen Ifeanyi Ubah to achieve victory in their various elections.
“The author of the malicious write-up was absent and completely misinformed, we therefore urge the public to disregard this fabrication which is aimed at bringing discord among brothers.
“Sir Vin Dike remains deeply rooted in tradition, culturally respected, and enjoys an excellent relationship with traditional rulers across Anambra State, particularly HRM Igwe Kenneth Orizu.
“All who know him will attest that he would never engage in any uncultured conduct,” he said.
