Condemnations have continued to trail the attack on Nigeria’s immediate past Deputy Senate President,  Ike Ekweremadu at the 2nd Annual Igbo Cultural Festival held in Nuremberg, Germany.

Senator Ekweremadu was physically assaulted on Friday by some members of the proscribed Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) in Germany where he had gone to celebrate the cultural Igbo New Yam Festival.

The group  accused the senator of  conspiracy in the events leading to the proscription of the group by the Federal Government in September 2017 through the Federal High Court, Abuja.

In a statement issued in Abuja, the Chairman of Nigerians In Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa described the unfortunate incident as an embarrassment to the entire nation.

“It is also shamefully pathetic that an event, which was nobly put together by the Ndi-Igbo community whose members make up the majority of Nigerians living in Germany ended up in such a disgraceful manner,” Dabiri-Erewa said.

She noted that the event was to provide a forum for the Nigerians there and various stakeholders to network and facilitate better cooperation between German and Nigerian businesses.

Dabiri-Erewa therefore called on the German government and law enforcement agencies to ensure that there are consequences for the actions of the culprits who she said have been apprehended.

Current Deputy President of the Senate, Ovie Omo-Agege also condemned the violent attack on Ekweremadu, describing it as not only an exportation of irrationality but also an international affront against the image of the Igbo and Nigeria in general.

In a statement issued through his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Yomi Odunuga in Abuja on Sunday, Omo-Agege called on law enforcement agencies in Germany to investigate and bring the perpetrators of the attack to book. 

Reacting to the assault, the erstwhile Senate president under whom Ekweremadu served as deputy, Dr. Bukola Saraki said the attack was highly unfortunate, calling on all Nigerians to avoid such distractions. 

Saraki said: “The Nuremberg incident was highly unfortunate and Nigerians at home and in the diaspora need to avoid this kind of unnecessary distraction.

“This is a time we all have to work together to foster unity and peace in our country. I am happy Ike remains unshaken and solid in his belief about a united, strong and prosperous Nigeria.”

He added: “I spoke with my brother and friend, Senator Ike Ekweremadu yesterday after hearing about the unfortunate incident in Germany and I thank God that he is fine and very well.”

In the same vein, the Delta State governor, Ifeanyi Okowa in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Olisa Ifeajika described the incident as pathetic, shameful and an embarrassment to Nigeria.

Okowa said Ekweremadu, being a great patriot and defender of his people and the down trodden did not deserve the kind of ill-treatment meted to him by the aggrieved IPOB members.

“I join men of goodwill in condemning the attack on Senator Ike Ekweremadu, who has been a great patriot and leader of exemplary behaviour.

“It is pathetic and shameful that an event organized to chart the way forward for the Igbo race and Nigeria in general ended up in such a disgraceful and embarrassing manner to the country.

“As Nigerians, we are trained to respect our elders and leaders as well as people in authority. I am particularly happy that some of the culprits have been arrested and I urge the German authorities to take necessary action on the perpetrators of the heinous act.

“I urge all Nigerians, home and abroad, to be of good behaviour wherever they find themselves as such acts of lawlessness do not bring glory to the nation,” Okowa added. 

Also, a pan-African students’ movement, the Progressive Students Movement (PSM) condemned the attack on Ekweremadu, calling on IPOB members to tender an unreserved apology for the global embarrassment the incident caused the lawmaker and the entire country.

A statement issued on Sunday by the President of PSM in Nigeria, Mr. Bestman Okereafor described the attack on the distinguished senator as unfortunate and utterly embarrassing.

Okereafor said: “The attention of PSM has been drawn to an unfortunate and embarrassing attack on a distinguished Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as it is as a global embarrassment to Nigeria. 

“It is however on record and worthy of note that Sen . Ekweremadu remains a leading figure among a few other Igbo senators who have consistently spoken against the unfortunate killings and kidnappings in Nigeria as a whole.

“We call on all Igbos both at home and in the Diaspora to remain peaceful , hardworking, united and loving as this remains the core values of the Igbos , in our quest for a united and peaceful Nigeria,” he added.