From Ebere Obiano to Iyom Bianca: Anambra and her slapping Dames
By Moses Tom
What is Anambra State known for? Google search would be quick to take you to her rich natural resources, fisheries, low poverty rate. But it ads “animal husbandry” to her fame. Whatever that means in Agriculture is different from its connotation in Biology and Social Studies.
The ‘Oma Mbala’ is truly trending and her socio-political landscape is in the news again for wrong reasons that is not unconnected with her “animal husbandry”.
There is indeed “troublement in government” as wives of those in the corridors of power are again caught up in a show of shame.
The recent incident was the slapping of the wife of the out-gone Governor of Anambra State, ‘Dame’ Ebelechukwu Obiano by the wife of the late Biafran warlord, ‘Dame’ Iyom Bianca Odimegwu Ojukwu.
Expectedly, the remote cause of the incident is controversial but some carnal men have resorted to the archaic theory that when two women fight in public, a man must be at the center of the controversy. They may wrong, they may be real.
Be that as it may, it goes down in history that Iyom Bianca Odimegwu Ojukwu gave Ebelechukwu Obiano a dirty slap on Thursday, 17th March, 2022.
The event was the swearing in ceremony of the new Governor of Anambra State, Prof Charles Chukwuma Soludo.
The immediate cause of the incident has it that trouble began when Mrs Ebelechukwu Obiano who arrived late to the ceremony took time out to greet the dignitaries at the occasion. Upon getting to where Iyom Bianca sat, Ebelechukwu Obiano allegedly taunted Bianca, “So you are here, I thought you said you will never attend any APGA event again.”
That uncomplimentary remark provoked Iyom Bianca to uncontrolled anger, forcing to rise and give Ebelechukwu Obiano the controversial dïrty slap that was by dragging her wig off her head.
Report says the unfortunate incident ’caused disruption to the Oath of Office being taken by Prof Charles Soludo who was signing some documents as at the time of the slap’.
Slapping spree is neither new nor news to Anambra ‘First Ladies’. According to an online media outfit, Homeland News, similar incident occurred seven years ago, specifically in 2014. Ironically, the culprit was ‘Dame’ Ebelechukwu Obiano.
The date: Sunday, 16th of November, 2014. The occasion was the dedication of the child of the Anglican Bishop of Awka, His Lordship Most Rev. Dr. Ibezim. The venue was Cathedral of Saint Faith, Awka, Anambra State Capital.
After the occasion, the wife of the then Deputy Governor of Anambra State had reportedly approached the wife of Dr. Alex Ekwueme, Beatrice, and complained that Ebelechukwu Obiano did not carry her along in women affairs of the state.
Moved by the desire to broker peace, Dame Beatrice Ekwueme sought audience with Mrs Ebelechukwu Obiano and advised her on the need to be more inclusive in her management of women affairs, with emphasis on carrying the wife of the deputy governor along.
“At this point, Mrs Obiano flayed and claimed that the constitution recognises her and not the Wife of the Deputy. Immediately, the Deputy Governor’s wife shouted back, (and) Mrs Eberechukwu Obiano slapped her.
“It took the intervention of security men to prevent the duo from physical fight. In the quarrel, the wife of the Deputy Governor told her that she cannot kill her as she killed her maid, nor slap her as she usually slaps drivers.
“”As the exchange of foul words continued, Sir Victor Umeh took the deputy governor who was there away as he felt completely dejected,” the Homeland News reported.
Barely three months latet, another ugly news purportedly broke out that Ebelechukwu Obiano had engaged in a bowl with current Senator representing Anambra Central Senatorial District, Uche Lillian Ekwunife in Poland.
The duo were said to have been in the entourage of Dame Patience Goodluck Jonathan to Poland.
According to report, it took the combined efforts of the First Lady, the member representing Anaocha, Dunukofia and Njikoka Federal Constituency of Anambra State, to prevent Senator Uche Ekwunife from being attacked by Mrs Ebelechukwu Obiano.
The duo had been acting acting Cat and Dog over this same suspicion of “animal husbandry”.
Trouble, it was gathered, started when on arrival at the airport to receive the First Lady, Eberechukwu Obiano reportedly greeted everyone except Senator Uche Lillian Ekwunife.
Later that day, Eberechukwu Obiano came to see the First Lady and for a second time greeted everybody except Uche Lillian Ekwunife, to the dismay of Dame Patience Jonathan and Bola Shagaya.
When summoned to explain the strange trend of behaviour, Eberechukwu Obiano’s remarks was a shocker. Referring to Uche Ekwunife, the Anambra First Lady averred, ”I do not greet prostitutes” to the bewilderment those women of calibre.
“I will not trade words with you. That you killed your husband’s first wife for him to marry you does not mean you can deal with other women. That you are dealing with your alcoholic husband does not mean you can deal with me,” Uche Ekwunife reportedly fired back at Ebele Obiano.
Ebele Obiano’s only reply was: “My husband drinks champagne not alcohol.”
The begging for answer is: Has Karma caught up with Eberechukwu Obiano on these inseparable twin issues of “animal husbandry” and slap?”.
