Ekwueme: Governors, Bode George, Nwodo, Ogbulafor others mourn

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The South-East Governors’ Forum, on Monday, joined millions of Nigerians to mourn the death of former Vice-President, Dr Alex Ekwueme.
Ekwueme died on Sunday night at a London Hospital.
His brother, Igwe Laz Ekwueme, who announced this in a statement, said: “Ekwueme family regrets to announce the peaceful passing away of their patriarch, the former Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr Alex Ifeanyichukwu Ekwueme,’’ he said.
Ekwueme, who turned 85 years in October, was reported to have collapsed in his residence in Enugu a few weeks ago.
He was immediately taken to Memfys Nuerosurgery Hospital in Enugu from where he was moved to London for further medical attention on the orders of President Muhammadu Buhari.
Ekwueme was the Vice President to Alhaji Shehu Shagari between 1979 and 1983.
Governor David Umahi of Ebonyi State and Chairman of South-East Governors’ Forum described Ekwueme’s death as the end of an era, in a statement in Abakalilki.
According to the forum, the death is a rude shock and a great loss to Ndigbo in particular and Nigeria as a whole.
“I commiserate with the Anambra State Government and the entire Ekwueme family of Uga in Orumba North Local Government Area of the state over the loss,” the chairman said.
He prayed God to grant the deceased eternal rest in His bosom.
“The death of our father and leader is devastating, especially within this period that his advice is needed most.
“He was a great Nigerian who believed in the unity of the country and we have learnt a lot from his deep political sagacity, as his children.
“We have lost a gem, gentleman, decent politician and academia as the South-East through, its governors, would soon map programmes to pay its last respect to the fallen iroko tree.”
A leading candidate for the position of National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olabode George, expressed shock at the demise of Ekwueme.
He said it was unfortunate that Ekwueme, “one of the founding fathers of our party”, died at a time PDP was restrategising and positioning itself for governance at the national level in 2019.
George, who said efforts of the likes of Ekwueme led to the formation of the party in 1998, sympathised with the family and prayed for the departed.
“May God grant him eternal rest”.
The President General of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Chief John Nwodo, described the death  as a colossal loss to Igbo people and Nigeria.
Nwodo said in Awka that Ekwueme made significant contributions in his public service that guided the country well.
“I served as a minister during the time Ekwueme was vice-president of Nigeria and his contributions were outstanding,’’ he said.
Nwodo also noted Ekwueme’s contributions during the National Constitutional Conference that led to the creation of six geo-political zones in Nigeria.
He said Ekwueme was a good example of a patriotic and forthright Nigerian and an illustrious Igbo son, whose roles in the peace and stability of the country could not be questioned.
In his reaction, a former National Chairman of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Vincent Ogbulafor, said the death of Ekwueme was regrettable.
“Ekwueme, not minding his age, is very useful to you at anytime you engage him on issues and his death is very regrettable at this time irrespective of his age,’’ he said.
Similarly, Chief Ralph Uwazuruike said Ekwueme showed good example of what an Igbo man should be.
“Ekwueme represented the Igbo people well in his public service, though his death is painful, we pray God to grant his soul eternal rest,’’ Uwazuruike said.
Igwe Ralp Ekpeh, the traditional ruler of Enugwu Ukwu in Anambra, described the death as a great loss to Anambra people, Ndigbo, Nigeria and Church of Nigeria Anglican Communion.
Prof. Stella Okunna, Dean Faculty of Social Sciences, Nnamdi Azikwe University, Awka described Ekwueme as one of the pillars of democracy in Nigeria.
Okunna, a former Commissioner for Information in Anambra, said the contributions of Ekwueme would be greatly missed at this time democratic governance in Nigeria was still evolving.
Also, the Publicity Secretary of PDP in Abia State, Don Ubani, expressed shock at the death.
He said in a statement: “It is with rude shock that the Peoples’ Democratic Party in Abia State has just received the sad news of one of the originators of the Party in Nigeria and former Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr Alex Ifeanyichukwu Ekwueme, GCON.
“According to a release issued by the younger brother of Dr Ekwueme, HRH Eze Prof Laz Ekwueme, the former Vice President died about 10pm yesterday in a London Clinic, at the age of 85.
“The Peoples’ Democratic Party in Abia State recalls and appreciates the untiring roles Dr Ekwueme had played in order to nurture and advance democracy in Nigeria, especially the risk he had taken just to retrieve power from the military, an engagement that boldly gave rise to the formation of the Peoples’ Democratic Party in 1998 and the eventual return of democratic governance to Nigeria in 1999.
“While the Party waits for details of his burial arrangements, it wishes to condole with the wife of the late statesman, Her Excellency, Mrs Beatrice Ekwueme, the Ekwueme family, the people of Okoh, the people and government of Anambra State and the Federal Republic of Nigeria. May his soul rest in peace”.
A House of Representatives member, Emeka Ujam (Enugu-PDP), said “Ekwueme was a man of peace who stood for the unity of the country.”
Ujam said in Abuja that Ekwueme’s death was a huge loss to Nigeria.
He added that “this is a man who stood for the unity of Nigeria; it is extremely painful. I am saddened because I know him personally; he was a great man.
“The family should take heart and know that the legacy he stood for lives through them.
“He was the first Igbo Vice President we know. We must emulate his political style of  peace.”
Born on October 21, 1932, he started primary school at St. John’s Anglican Central School, Ekwulobia, Anambra and later attended King’s College, Lagos.
He got Fulbright Scholarship in the United States (U.S.), being one of the first Nigerians to gain the award.
He attended University of Washington where he earned bachelor’s degree in Architecture and City Planning.
He also obtained Master’s Degree in Urban Planning and degrees in Sociology, History, Philosophy and Law from the University of London.
He was the Ide of Oko Kingdom in Anambra, where his younger brother, Prof. Lazarus Ekwueme, is the traditional ruler.
Ekwueme participated in the National Constitutional Conference in Abuja, where he served on the Committee on Structure and Framework of the Constitution.

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