Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, an elder statesman and Chairman, Ohaneze Council of Elders, has denied reports in the media, that he described the Yorubas as political rascals.
He said he has no reason to insult the Yoruba tribe.
In a statement he signed and made available to INNONEWS, the engineer said “I want to make it abundantly clear that at no time did I make the statement credited to me by blackmail, circulating on the social media that Yorubas are political rascals”
He described the news as fake, peddled by “syndicates that brought misery and sadness to the Igbos resident in Lagos”
“I am appealing to the Yorubas to fish them out and know that they are portraying Yorubas in a bad light.
“I want to warn all perpetrators of this fake news that it is a criminal offence to circulate fake news against a peace loving Nigerian”, his statement read in part.
He said his authentic statement at Awka, Anambra State at the one year anniversary of Governor Charles Soludo can be obtained from some media houses which covered the event.
He said what he did at the ceremony “was to admonish Igbos who felt threatened by various attacks in Lagos that they have no cause to worry because there are no problems between Igbos and Yorubas. I therefore urged them to stay in Lagos and go about their normal businesses.
“I did however mention to them that the attackers are political rascals and their action does not reflect the good relationship between Yorubas and Igbos” he said.
He however noted that it is sad that “a Nigerian should be denied his democratic right to vote for any candidate of his choice because of his tribe.
“What happened to Igbos in Lagos was in the press and Igbos are very grateful to those distinguished and well meaning Yorubas who rose up to speak against the killings, injuries and destruction of properties of Igbos in Lagos only because they voted the candidates of their choice.
“Ironically, some of the Igbos who lost their properties and who were wounded were not only members of Labour Party but that of some other political parties. This is because I am aware that most Igbos in Lagos voted for the incumbent Governor who in their opinion said the Governor did well in the past four years and deserves to be given another opportunity” he declared.
He said he has a robust relationship with the Yorubas.
“Most of my close friends who have influenced my business and professional life are from Northern and Western parts of Nigeria.
“For instance, I am the Balogun Babaguwan of Ibadan land. I have also been honoured with Chieftaincy titles by numerous Yoruba Obas.
“I am no doubt an honorary citizen of Yoruba land. I have many personal friends and staff of my various companies including directors who are Yorubas. Most of them played major roles in shaping my economic destiny.
“I therefore do not have any reason whatsoever to insult Yoruba tribe whom I regard with great respect” the statement concluded.
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