Former national chairman of the All Progressive Grand Alliance, APGA, Senator Victor Umeh, has said his presence at the inauguration of Prof. Chukwuma Soludo as the new governor of the Anambra State, stopped the escalation of the fight between former Nigerian Ambassador to Spain, Mrs. Bianca Ojukwu and the immediate past first lady of Anambra State, Mrs. Ebelechukwu Obiano.
He said: “I was on ground. I stepped in quickly to arrest the situation. Thank God that normalcy returned immediately through my intervention.”
Both women had engaged in a brawl at the inauguration of Soludo on Thursday, during which Bianca slapped Obiano’s wife after the latter appeared to nudge her on the shoulder.
Fielding questions from newsmen during the 80th birthday celebration of foremost Nigerian philosopher and President General of Alaigbo Development Foundation, Prof. Uzodimma Nwala in Enugu at the weekend, Umeh said he knew that such a situation would arise and quickly stepped in to prevent it from escalating.
It was gathered that dignitaries including Obiano were already seated when Mrs Obiano stepped in and moved to the front row where the widow of Dim Odumegwu Ojukwu was seated before the fight began.
The action drew the attention of security agents and some personalities who pulled Mrs Obiano off the hold of Bianca who was visibly shocked at the action.
Mrs Obiano was later taken away and shortly afterward, her husband left the venue since the incident happened after the new governor had been sworn in.