President Muhammadu Buhari has condoled with the family of Chief Vincent Ogbulafor, former Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who passed on Friday at 73.
In a statement by his spokesman, Malam Garba Shehu, on Saturday in Abuja, Buhari commiserated with leaders and members of the PDP, the Olokoro Royal family in Umuahia, government and people of Abia State over the loss of the former party chieftain.
According to the president, the former national chairman will be remembered for his role in the nation’s democratic growth.
He commended the zeal of the late Prince of Olokoro in sustaining the unity and progress of the country.
Buhari prayed that God would accept the soul of the departed, and comfort his family.
Meanwhile, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State has expressed deep sadness over the death of Ogbulafor.
Ogbulafor died in Canada on Thursday, following a protracted illness.
Ikpeazu’s reaction to the incident is contained in a statement on Saturday by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Onyebuchi Ememanka, and made available to newsmen in Umuahia.
He described the deceased as a first class gentleman and an authentic Nigerian leader.
He further eulogised him for positioning Abia “firmly on the map of Nigerian political development, especially in the Third Republic”.
He added that Ogbulafor made significant impact on the nation as Minister of Economic Planning as well as National Secretary and Chairman of PDP.
“Prince Ogbulafor was clearly Abia’s biggest gift to Nigerian politics in the Third Republic.
“His activities kept Abia in the limelight as he served this country with unparalleled dedication.
“During and after his national assignment, he never forgot home.
“He made himself available at all times and was involved in the political process in Abia,” the statement added.
The governor further described him as “a great bridge builder under whose watch as National Secretary and later National Chairman, our party witnessed her finest moments.
“As governor, I found in him a huge reservoir of political and administrative experience from which I drank regularly.
“He was willing at all times to place his wide experience and contacts at my disposal,” he stated.
According to him, Abia has lost a quintessential political figure.
He stated that his death had denied Abia the opportunity of receiving useful advice on issues of elections, where his experience would have been a solid reference point for the party in 2023.
He opined that Abia people would take solace in the exemplary life of service lived by the deceased and prayed for the repose of his soul.
He urged his family to be strong and keep flying the flag of excellence hoisted by their father.
In a similar vein, the state Chairman of PDP, Chief Alwell Okere, has commiserated with the bereaved family over the death of the septuagenarian politician.
Okere remarked in a statement that the deceased was until his death a member of the state PDP Council of Elders and the party’s 2023 Election Advisory Council.
He described him as “a consummate politician”, who served Abia and PDP in different capacities.
He stated that the party would miss his invaluable advice that helped to strengthen the party.
Former Senate President, David Mark, described the demise as a huge loss to the party and the nation at large.
This is contained in a statement by Paul Mumeh, Special Adviser on Media to Mark on Saturday in Minna.
Mark noted that the deceased was a fine gentleman who was passionate and committed to the growth and sustenance of the nation’s nascent democracy.
“As a minister of the Federal Republic, Ogbulafor demonstrated unwavering commitment to the ideals of nationhood.
“Likewise as national secretary, national chairman and a prominent member of the PDP board of trustees, he demonstrated uncommon loyalty to the party and the Nigerian state,” he stated .
Mark lamented the demise of Ogbulafor at this time when his wealth of experience in party administration would have been needed to resolve the myriads of crises facing the party .
He added that Ogbulafor was one of the best and fertile minds in Nigerian political environment “because he was fair and firm in the discharge of his duties”.
Mark noted that the late Ogbulafor would be remembered for his uncommon dedication to duty , humour, honesty and loyalty to his fatherland.
He urged PDP faithful, the government and people of Abia state to take solace in the fact that Ogbulafor left a good legacy worthy of emulation for all.
Mark prayed that God, in His infinite mercies, grants the deceased eternal rest and the immediate family the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.
The news of the death has thrown his family and entire Umuonuzo Village in Olokoro Umuahia into mourning.
His younger sister, Princess Nwanyieze Ogbulafor, confirmed the death in their family house on Saturday.
Nwanyieze said the death of the former PDP National Chairman had thrown the family into deep mourning.
“We were with him when he passed on in Canada after a prolonged illness.
“We are crying and mourning him and at the same thanking God for the good and accomplished life he lived.
“Those who knew him as friends and political associates will testify that he was a good man.
“We are consoled because we believe that he will be resting with his creator now,” Nwanyieze said.
She said that Ogbulafor would have clocked 74 in November.
Also, the Traditional Ruler of Umutowe Autonomous Community (Ogbulafor’s community), Eze Godfrey Onwuka, said: “This is a very painful loss to Umutowe, Olokoro and Abia in general”.
Onwuka described the deceased as an illustrious son of the community, known for his philantropy and community development efforts.
“You know he was prominent in the country, having held very high political positions.
“He helped to give employment to many people from our community.
“So, losing him now is early and painful,” the royal father said.
He said that in his last telephone conversation with Ogbulafor, “he confirmed to me that his ailment had nothing to do with kidney transplant.
“He said that they were diagnosing something else and by the time it was realised that it was cancer, the situation had become worse,” he said.
“So, he died of cancer and not kidney transplant as being rumoured,” the traditional ruler said.
Ogbulafor’s cousin and Village Head of Umuonuzo, Chief Israel Nwosu, said the news of Ogbulafor’s death was received with shock.
Nwosu said that they knew that he was ill but that his death came as a surprise to everyone in the village.
“Our village is cold and in mourning mood. We have lost a great man.
“He was in the forefront of the development of our village and the larger Umutowe Community and Olokoro clan.
“Although, we depend on God, he was our Iroko. He was a dependable brother,” Nwosu further said.
He said that he had very close and cordial relationship with the deceased and was always in touch with him in his sick bed both in India and Canada before his death.
Another family member, Mr George Nwosu, in a brief remark, said, “An Iroko has fallen in our family.”
He said that Ogbulafor not only sponsored the education of many in the community, he also helped to get them jobs in different Federal Government’s establishments.
Ogbulafor was survived by a nonagenarian mother, wife, amongst other relations.
Ogbulafor ran for Abia governorship on the platform of the All Peoples Party against Senator Orji Kalu and Senator Theodore Orji in 1999 and 2007, respectively and lost.
He served as Commissioner for Works, Lands, Housing and Transport in 1993 and Minister, Economic Matters & Special Projects from 1999 to 2001.
He also became the National Secretary of PDP in 2001 and later emerged as the party’s National Chairman on March 8, 2008.
