A Board of Trustees (BoT) member of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Emeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, has said that APGA is the only political party authorised to use Ikemba’s image.
Ojukwu Jr. frowned at the indiscriminate use of his late father’s iconic images on Social Media, Political Posters and Fabrics by some ill-assorted politicians.
He described the trend as an unfortunate abuse of what the late Ikemba, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, represented while alive.
Ojukwu lamented that his father, the Ikemba, would not be happy about this flagrant abuse in his resting place.
He buttressed the point by stressing that Ikemba was the supreme leader of APGA who put in every ounce of himself to nurture and breathe life into the party.
He deposed that it is against the background of Ojukwu’s role as the patron saint of the party that APGA remains the only party that can freely use his photographs for their activities.
“That was Ikemba’s wish,” Ojukwu Jr. reiterated, adding, “This wish should be held sacrosanct.”
Ojukwu cautioned those trying to ride on Ikemba’s fame for premium political offices with the desperate use of his images that they are infringing on the rights of Ikemba’s family.
He therefore advised the infringers to retrace their steps and stop rubbishing the hard-earned reputation of the legendary Ikemba.
Ojukwu Jr. argued that while every man or woman had the right to choose any party platform they wanted to be associated with, aspirants from various parties warming up for the Anambra Guber election in 2021 should sell their own names, their manifestoes, pedigrees and visions to the prospective voters instead of indulging in the illegitimate use of the Ikemba’s photographs to deceive the unsuspecting electorate.
According to Ojukwu Jr., “My father stood for fair-play and justice. His belief in selflessness was legendary, while he also believed in the empowerment of the Igbo Nation. Ironically, some of these politicians now attempting to lay claim to Ikemba’s endorsement with his photographs and images don’t even understand or reflect his ideals.”
He stated with finality: “Ezeigbo Gburugburu is only meant for APGA and that position remains sacrosanct even in death.” He concluded with this advice: “Ndi Anambra, let’s respect our late hero, Ikemba Nnewi, by showing respect to his blessed memory. By showing respect to our heroes, those who have sacrificed for us, we would be respecting ourselves as respect is reciprocal.”