Chief James Onanefe Ibori has described the death of Dr. Alex Ekwueme, as most shocking. He said “though His Excellency, Dr. Alex Ekwueme, GCON, was a great leader, a national father-figure, a stabilising factor in Nigerian politics, I Chief James Onanefe Ibori can never stop asking “what if”!

In a statement signed by his Media Assistant, Tony Eluemunor, Chief 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 Igboman 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.”

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