President Buhari on Monday sent condolences to Nigerians, and to the Government and people of Anambra State, on the death of the former Vice-President. In a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, the President commiserated with the entire Oko Kingdom, the Aguata Council of Traditional Rulers, and the Ekwueme family, over the loss of the family’s patriarch.
He said the deceased’s regular counsel on national issues and mediations for peaceful co-existence would be sorely missed. According to Buhari, Dr. Ekwueme worked assiduously to improve the livelihood of many poor and underprivileged people through the Alex Ekwueme Foundation, describing him as a man who served his country and humanity.”
Former President Shagari, with whom Ekwueme served as Vice President, between 1979 and 1983, commiserated with Nigerians over the death of his then deputy. Shagari, in a one-paragraph condolence message he personally signed, described the late Ekwueme as, “my brother.”
“It is with a deep sense of loss that I heard about the demise of my brother and former Vice-President, Alex Ekwueme. On behalf of myself, I sincerely commiserate with Nigerians on his death. May his soul rest in peace,” Shagari’s statement read.
For ex President Obasanjo, “The late Dr. Ekwueme was a selfless, disciplined and patriotic Nigerian who lived a worthy and exemplary life.” The former president acknowledged his diverse and worthy achievements in the multi-faceted endeavours, which he had undertaken in the course of a meritorious career in public and private life.
The South-East Governors’ Forum on their own, has expressed devastation over the death. The Chairman of the South-East Governors’ Forum and Governor of Ebonyi State, Chief David Umahi, described Ekwueme’s death as the end of an era. “The death of our father and leader, Dr. Ekwueme, is so devastating especially now that his fatherly advice is needed most; he was a great Nigerian and a great believer in the unity of the country. As his children, we have learnt a lot from his deep political sagacity,” Umahi said.
Senate president, Dr. Bukola Saraki, said in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Yusuph Olaniyonu, described Ekwueme as a man of exemplary courage who dedicated himself to the development of the country. “I join the entire nation to mourn the passing of one of Nigeria’s most illustrious sons, Dr. Alex Ekwueme, our first elected Vice-President.
House of Representatives Speaker, Yakubu Dogara, in a statement on Monday, said Ekwueme’s death was a monumental loss not just to Nigeria but the entire African continent. “In times like these, elderly wisdom, experience and guidance of Dr. Ekwueme is needed by leaders at all levels so as to enable us to surmount the daunting challenges confronting us as a country and as Africans.
On his part, Deputy Senate President, Chief Ike Ekweremadu said Ekwueme would be remembered as a leader who bequeathed a legacy of integrity and strength of character as “he was until his death reputed to have left office as the Vice-President of Nigeria poorer.”
The All Progressives Congress, APC, National Leader, Senator Bola Tinubu in a statement, described Ekwueme as a man whose intellectual interventions helped Nigerian to navigate critical situations. Tinubu said, “As he contributed to Nigeria’s stability through his interventions, he also made laudable contributions to Nigeria’s political lexicon. “It was Chief Ekwueme who, at the 1994-95 Constitutional Conference in Abuja, suggested the six geopolitical zones as a more realistic structure to create a more equitable system. This has stuck till date. The structure is also often cited in appointment-distribution and calculation.
Other prominent leaders who have sent in their condolences, include Governors Ambode(Lagos), Fayose(Ekiti), Obiano(Anambra), Okorocha(Imo), Tambuwal(Sokoto), Akeredolu(Ondo), Ikpeazu(Abia) and Amosun(Ogun), among several others.
