Ojukwu Still Can't Speak Nor Write; Leave him Out of Politics - Son
ABUJA, March 21, (THEWILL) - The family of the Ikemba Nnewi, Dim Chukwuemeka Odimegwu Ojukwu today warned that the ailing former soldier should not be dragged into politics warning that he is still unable to communicate with anyone.
The family also declared that it is only the hospital authorities where he is convalescing in United Kingdom that could comment on his medical condition.
In a statement issued in Abuja, Ojukwu’s eldest son, Chukwuemeka Odimegwu Ojukwu II, said it is absolutely disrespectful and unethical for some people to engage in certain political comments and purport to have obtained his father’s consent and approval for such comment, when there is no truth in such claims.
It is in the same manner, he added, that the family views certain exaggerated statements on the recovery of his father without the authorization of the medical authorities managing his health.
The statement in part said: “I wish to seize this opportunity to express the family’s disappointment in the conduct of a few persons who have continued to drag the name of my father into politics, especially at this his most trying moment, when he is not in any position to respond to what is being said or done in his name. In circumstances such as the one the family has found itself in, it is only the natural spokesperson of the family who is my humble self as Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu II, his son, that is expected to speak on his behalf whenever the need arises.
“Similarly, comments on his specific medical condition or progress are to be made by the hospital authorities who are currently managing his treatment.
“Until I left the United Kingdom last week, the progress made by my father in his recovery has not developed to the point of his being able to communicate his views and opinions to anybody including myself, orally or in writing. In fact, this has been his condition since the crisis in December last year. It is therefore in absolute bad taste, disrespectful and unethical for some people to engage in certain political comments and purport to have obtained my father’s consent and approval for such comments, when there is no truth in such claims.
“It is in the same like manner that the family views certain exaggerated statements on the recovery of my father without the authorization of the medical authorities who are managing his health. These developments have embarrassed the family greatly.
“I therefore appeal to the persons concerned to moderate their comments and desist from subjecting Dim Odumegwu-Ojukwu (Eze Igbo Gburugburu) to political commitments and engagements without his consent especially during this challenging time in his life,” he said.
However, Ojukwu Jnr, who is also the Commissioner for Special Duties and Transport in Anambra State expressed profound gratitude to Governments, leaders, associations and persons who have continued to pray for the speedy recovery of the patriarch of the family, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu.
“I appreciate especially, the solidarity, support and assistance of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. I extend similar gratitude and appreciation to the Government and people of Anambra state. The Governors of the other states in the South East geopolitical zone, the Nigerian Media, Religious organizations, the Nigerian people especially Ndigbo in Nigeria and all over the world and several other persons and organizations who have continued to pray fervently for the recovery of my father,” he added.