By IHECHINYERE CHIGEMERE-UWOM

The remains of the late Chairman of the All Progressives Congress in Abia, Enyinnaya Harbor, were Friday laid to rest in his Aro-Ajatakiri country home in Ikwuano Local Government Area.

Harbor, who was elected chairman on July 16, 2021 by the group loyal to a chieftain of the party in the state, Chief Ikechi Emenike, died on Oct. 8, 2021, following a brief illness.

In a brief tribute in his honour, Emenike described him as a distinguished politician.

According to him, Harbor was not a politician in the Nigerian context.

“He was honest, loyal and straightforward, unlike some politicians that go about in the name of politics.

“His life was a testimony and a dream for the development of Abia, which he stood for,” Emenike said.

He promised that the party would work to realise his dream by wresting power from the Peoples Democratic Party in 2023.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Emenike was accompanied to the funeral by other chieftains of the party, including former Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika, and former Governorship Aspirant, Chief Friday Nwosu, amongst others.

Also, Harbor’s successor, Dr Kingsley Ononogbu, who led members of the State Working Committee to the event, said “he was humble, loyal, friendly and dedicated to the core in party affairs.

“We appreciate those principles and ideals he stood for and shall continue to hold them closely to our heart,” Ononogbu said.

His first son, Praise, a medical practitioner, who read his biography, said his father surrendered his life to Christ in 1988 as an undergraduate.

Praise said his father’s slogan, while in politics was: “I am a Christian politician and not a politician that is a Christian.

“I must not win by all means, I must win by telling people the truth and they loving me for whom I am and what I stand for.”

In a sermon at an open air funeral service held at the Aro-Ajakiri Model Primary School, the state Resident Pastor of Winners Chapel, Nwagu Okenwa, spoke on death as an “inevitable appointment” that every mortal must keep.

Okenwa admonished the bereaved family and friends as well as political and academic associates to “weep no more”, saying that his death was not a loss.

“Harbor did not lose his soul but sitting at the right hand of God,” he said, adding that his death was an opportunity for the living to reflect on their lives.

“It will be a great loss for one to lose his life and soul at death,” he said, while urging the living to get close to their creator.

Harbor was a renowned academic and Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer, Mayfair Nursery and Primary School, Umuahia. (NAN)

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