…as Buhari, APC, condemn act
Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the apex Igbo sociocultural organisation, has described the assassination of Ahmed Gulak by the unknown gunmen in Imo State on Sunday as alien to Igbo custom.
Gulak, an ex-aide of former President Goodluck Jonathan and a chieftain of ruling All Progressives Congress, was killed by a six-man gang of armed bandits in Owerri, Imo state, on Sunday morning, as he made his way to catch a flight at the Sam Mbakwe International Airport.
Gulaks murder in the state was “a death too many because of the wrong signal it had sent to the general public”, Ohanaeze said in a statement issued Monday by its spokesman, Chief Alex Ogbonnia.
On his part, President Muhadu Buhari has not only condemned the acct, but has also vowed to ensure that those involved were arrested and prosecuted.
The killing negated Igbo custom on how a visitor should be treated, Ogbonnia said.
According to the scribe, “the Igbo custom places a very high premium on the wellbeing and hospitality of a guest”, adding that the host would even “pay the supreme prize in order to protect the life of a guest”.
The statement further said: “Ohanaeze Ndigbo led by Ambassador Professor George Obiozor expresses great concern over the recent developments in the South East of Nigeria; a zone noted for peace, tranquillity, hard work and smooth economic activities.
“Obiozor is saddened by the death of Ahmed Gulak. He described Gulak as an ebullient and sagacious achiever, a detribalized patriot whose active presence was felt in any gathering.
“His enviable qualities helped him clinch the positions of the Speaker, Adamawa State House of Assembly and later the Special Assistant to the President of Nigeria. As a chieftain of the All Peoples Congress, Gulak was never on the sideline. He was a consummate politician.
“Our heart goes to the governor of Imo State, Sen. Hope Uzodinma who has remained in deep mourning since the death of Gulak.
“Our sympathy goes to the immediate family of Gulak and the good people of Adamawa State for this calamity. We pray to God to grant them the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.”
“I’m repulsed by such premeditated and gruesome murder of Gulak by evil people who are determined to undermine the peace, unity and the territorial integrity of our country,” President Buhari said in a statement issued Sunday by his spokesman, Garba Shehu.
“Let me warn, however, that nobody or group of people who engages in such despicable acts should expect to go free.
“We will deploy all resources at our disposal to ensure that such callous and criminal elements are brought to justice.”
On his part, Governor Rotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State has also described Gulak’s murder as senseless and wicked.
“This is one murder too many. It is senseless and wicked. The perpetrators of this heinous act are enemies of this country,” the governor said in a statement he sighed.
“This contrivance is meant to mislead, confuse and destroy. It bears the unmistakable, despicable imprints of fifth columnists bent on setting the country on the path of conflagration. These criminals must not be allowed to succeed,” he added.