Chairman Air Peace, Barr. Allen Onyema has denied any involvement in the deployment of military personnel to Mbosi junction on the Onitsha-Owerri express road that resulted in the killing of two youths from the area.
Onyema said, he never collaborated with the Anambra State Government in any such arrangement, he described the purported voice recording trending in the social media linking him to the deployment of soldiers to Mbosi junction as unfortunate.
“I find this accusation one too many and very unfortunate. I didn’t know that there were even soldiers stationed anywhere in the whole local government area not to talk of bringing them to that particular spot”.
He emphasized that, there was no truth whatsoever in this assertion and remains what it is; a naked mischief aimed at smearing his name and bringing him in direct confrontation with his people who actually know better.
“I am emboldened by real facts to say that this campaign of calumny will not fly. I have done more for Igboland and Nigeria to be truly appreciated and undeserving of this kind of deliberate falsehood to paint me in bad light”.
“I do not even believe in the use of force to settle the issues at hand. I believe in dialogue and Nonviolence, so how could I have brought in soldiers? Who am I?”.
“I do not exercise executive political powers at any level of government and therefore cannot deploy soldiers or any security personnel for any reason. I am also not the Chief of Army Staff or even the commander of the smallest military formation in Nigeria. From where do I have powers to move soldiers around the country for military duties? I have not ever suggested the use of force or army to solve problems that dialogue an peaceful engagement can solve and I will never do that”, he stressed.
Onyema said, he has always preached peace and not war, wondering, “What was or is my offence? If this is about my persistent call for all sides to apply peaceful means to resolve national differences, I would like to reiterate that cannot call for war in my homeland in order to please certain quarters”.
He added, “I am doing God’s work by calling for peace at all times. Constantly demonizing and calling me all manner of bad names is unhelpful as it is shocking and unfortunate”.
“To suggest that I to all intents and purposes, would bring armed soldiers to kill my own people or any other persons for that matter is the height of callousness by anybody. What do I stand to gain from doing that after providing thousands of jobs for teaming Igbo youths and other Nigerians? I touch lives on daily basis and will never support anything that could harm anyone”.
