President Muhammadu Buhari has condoled with Nigerians, and the Government and people of Anambra, on the passing away of elder statesman and former Vice President, Dr Alex Ekwueme, who died on Nov. 19.
President Buhari, in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, in Abuja on Monday, commiserated with the entire Oko Kingdom, the Aguata Council of Traditional Rulers, and the Ekwueme family, over the loss of the family’s patriarch.
The President noted that the elder statesman’s regular counsels on national issues and mediations for peaceful co-existence would be sorely missed.
He affirmed that Ekwueme’s unwavering commitment to the unity of Nigeria had been a major encouragement to many governments.
President Buhari recalled the personal sacrifices he made in helping to lay the foundation for sustainable democracy in Nigeria.
He also observed that late Ekwueme had 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.
The President prayed that the almighty God would receive the soul of the former Vice President, and grant his family the fortitude to bear the loss.
Alex EKwueme, who died in a London hospital on Sunday at the age of 85, was the first elected Vice-President of Nigeria, from 1979 to 1983.
Several weeks ago, he slumped in his Enugu residence. He was immediately taken to the Memfys Neurosurgery Hospital Enugu, where he went into coma.
As soon as he was stabilised in the hospital he was flown to London in an air ambulance last week on the orders by President Muhammadu Buhari.
Ekwueme, who was Vice President to President Shehu Shagari, was ousted in a coup staged by military officers led by Brigadier Muhammadu Buhari on 31 December 1983.
He attended the University of London; King’s College; Lagos, Nigerian Law School; University of Strathclyde and University of Washington.
Ekwueme was a distinguished architect who started his professional career as an Assistant Architect with a Seattle-based firm, Leo A. Daly and Associates, and also with the London-based firm Nickson and Partners.
He worked briefly with ESSO West Africa, Lagos, overseeing the Construction and Maintenance department.
He founded Ekwueme Associates, Architects and Town Planners, the first indigenous architectural firm in Nigeria.
Also the All Progressives Congress (APC), said death of Dr Alex Ekwueme, Nigeria`s first elected Vice President had taken away a stabilising voice in Nigeria’s politics.
In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abudulahi, on Monday in Abuja, the party, however, said “the task before us is to keep Ekwueme`s legacies aglow.
“The APC deeply mourns the death of respected elder statesman, political intelligentsia and Nigeria’s former Vice President, Dr Alex Ekwueme, at 85.
“Truly, the nation has lost a fine gentleman and a true patriot who demonstrated that politics and integrity are not incompatible.”
It recalled that Ekwueme’s political ideas and interventions greatly and positively shaped the country’s political fabric.
The party recalled that at the 1994-1995 Constitutional Conference, the late statesman suggested a six-zone geo-political structure to create a more equitable system.
“That structure is now in operation in the country today. The late Ekwueme was also undoubtedly one of the strong pillars of democracy in the country.
“Through the G-34 group, he was a key actor that doggedly fought for the country’s return to a democracy during the military dictatorship of late Gen. Sani Abacha,” it said.
It added that while the death of Ekwueme was a sad and painful loss, he lived a long, accomplished and impactful life.
The APC condoled with the family, President Muhammadu Buhari and the people and government of Anambra and Nigeria over the loss.
It also prayed to the Almighty God to grant his soul eternal rest and the family the strength to bear the loss.
Similarly, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) commiserated with the family and people of Oko and Aguata in Anambra over the death of the former vice president.
It said in a statement by Mr Dayo Adeyeye, its National Caretaker Committee’s Publicity Secretary, in Abuja on Monday, that Ekweume left when he was still needed.
It said that dying at 85, the deceased could be said to have departed at a good old age, but that the party had wished that he lived longer.
According to the party, this wish was to enable us to continue to tap from his wealth of experience, but we take solace in the fact that the Almighty has wished it so.
“He will be greatly remembered for his fatherly role, doggedness, and sacrifices made to berth the fourth Republic and his sacrifice to entrench democracy in Nigeria with other great leaders across the country.”
It said that Ekweume served Nigeria and his immediate communities in many capacities, adding that he made contributions to socio-economic advancement, especially in education through his Education Trust Fund.
“He was the founding chairman of our great party, the PDP, who mobilised patriotic/eminent Nigerians across the country under the Group of 34 (G-34).
“The G-34 fearlessly challenged the military junta of Sani Abacha over his ambition of transforming undemocratically to a civilian,” it recalled.
According to the PDP, the place and role of Ekwueme will be difficult to fill by anyone.
“Our sincere condolences go to his widow, children and other family members, the Government of Anambra and the entire PDP family nationwide.”
He described Ekwueme, who was Vice President to Alhaji Shehu Shagari from 1979 to 1983 as a man of many firsts.
“He is a distinguished architect who established the first indigenous architectural firm in Nigeria.
“He presided over the Institute of Architects, and the Architects Council of Nigeria; he was a lawyer, sociologist, philosopher, historian, and public servant, who was trained in the U.S. and London.