Ihedioha apologizes to Igbos supporting Peter Obi over ‘saboteurs statement’

Former Imo State Governor, Emeka Ihedioa, has tendered an unreserved apology to the supporters of the presidential candidate of the Labour Party, (LP) Peter Obi for calling them ‘saboteurs’ if they vote against the Peoples Democratic Party in the 2023 election.

Ihedioha tendered his apology during an interview on Channels TV on Friday following the backlash faced from his supporters who also threatened to withdraw their support.

The former governor who won the governorship of Imo State under the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) but was ousted from office after a Supreme Court verdict that went in favour of Hope Uzodinma of the All Progressive Congress, (APC) in 2020 was seen saying in a video during an event in Ghana saying that anyone who votes any other place, is a saboteur.

However, in a recent interview, Ihedioha said his comment was taken out of context, as he was referring to people within the PDP who would want to sabotage the efforts in claiming power in 2023.

He said: “I spoke to our people consciously, people within the PDP to express the need for them not to sabotage the efforts in claiming power in 2023 so that Nigerians see good governance. Give it to the Peoples Democratic Party, one thing about us, yes there will be issues, which is expected in every human conglomeration we have ways of dealing with those issues.

“The huge expectations born out of abundant love and expectation to say look I’m calling anyone or every South Easterner, Igbo man at that do not vote my party as saboteurs. That cannot be.”

He maintained his remark was taken out of context, adding that Nigerians and Igbo have the right to choose a president of their choice.

Ihedioha explained: “That is far from the truth. Obviously that is not me, it is not in my character. I believe in decency within my immediate nuclear family. That cannot be. My position was very simple. I was speaking to our people, I’m an Mbaise man and the PDP has been faithful to us. Has given us support and the opportunity to produce a governor in our state and I said to them that we have an opportunity and I called that they should not sabotage our efforts to claim power and that was it. That was the context.

“I have found out a lot of persons who have made calls either to my person, my family members, or to my friends and associates have not had the opportunity and privilege to watch the tape.

“However, I’m responsible to people. When people show you love, show you confidence and believe in you, you have the need to respect their feelings and so, to all those millions of Nigerians particularly of the South East extraction who feel hurt by my use of language, I’m deeply sorry about it.

“I do not mean to hurt anybody and they have the right to express their political opinion in any way, form or shape. I have lots of my friends who belong to other political parties and they will continue to relate. They should accept me for who I am and know that I am not a rude person and I’m not a disrespectful person.”