Former governor of Delta State, James Ibori and the governor of Edo State Godwin Obaseki have commiserated with the family of the late former vice president Alex Ekwueme, describing the deceased as a great Nigerian.
Ibori described the death of Dr. Alex Ekwueme as most shocking, saying, “though His Excellency, Dr. Alex Ekwueme, GCON, was a great leader, a national father-figure, a stabilizing factor in Nigerian politics, I Chief James Onanefe Ibori can never stop asking “what if”!
In a statement signed by his Media aide, Tony Eluemunor, Ibori said: “It is ironic that the nation that betrayed this man’s effort to rescue it from political and economic morass will, now that he is dead, begin to shed crocodile tears. Even those who betrayed the very effort to make Ekwueme President, may begin to, hypocritically of course, bewail the fact that Ekwueme or the Igbo man or woman, never ruled Nigeria.
“Ekwueme was an extraordinary polyvalent scholar who earned multiple degrees in Architecture, urban planning, sociology, history, philosophy and law from several universities. He was a gifted architect whose professional legacies dot various Nigerian cities. In politics, he was both gentlemanly and fatherly, introducing mildness even when the others had embraced roughness and irascibility.
“If only we had allowed Ekwueme to rule Nigeria, what example would he have set? Now, we will never know…and Nigeria is the ultimate loser. Ekwueme has lived a full life; he has given a radiant account of himself and we all agree he was outstanding.
“May the Almighty God grant his gentle soul eternal rest and pour His consolation upon his family.”
The Governor of Edo State, Godwin Obaseki described the late Ekwueme as a visionary, peace-loving and a creative Nigerian who contributed immensely to the advancement of Nigeria’s democracy.
“Specifically, his role in the struggle to return Nigeria to civil rule during the military era, under the dictatorial regime of General Sani Abacha is worthy of note,” Obaseki said.
He also lauded Ekwueme’s numerous contributions to human development through his philanthropic activities and added that his famous proposition for six-geopolitical zones for the country, has to a large extent, helped in putting in clear perspective, the common demands of Nigeria’s minority groups for a platform that will advance their interests.
Obaseki said that Ekwueme will be greatly missed as Nigerians seek the best of ideas in the ongoing conversation for a greater Nigeria.
“May the Good Lord grant the Ekwueme family, the good people of Anambra State and all Nigerians, the strength to bear the loss of a worthy son as Dr. Alex Ekwueme,” he noted.