By Tayo Joseph, Lagos
Ogun State Governor, Senator Ibikunle Amosun has deeply mourned the death of Second Republic Vice President, Dr. Alex Ifeanyinchukwu Ekwueme, describing it as a great loss to the nation.
Amosun, in a statement, signed by the state Commisioner for Information and Strategy, Otunba Adedayo Adeneye, said the deceased was an exemplary politician, selfless leader, relentless community leader, renowned architect and zealous philanthropist.
“The contributions of the late former Vice President, Dr. Alex Ekwueme, to the enthronement of an enduring democratic rule, is worthy of note and emulation. He was in the forefront of the emergence of the Second Republic, as the founding chairman of the defunct Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which eventually formed the federal government and under which he served as Vice President to President Shehu Shagari.
“His bold efforts to gather 34 eminent Nigerians (G34), to confront the former Military Head of State, General Sani Abacha, despite the risk, no doubt, fuelled the aggitations for and the subsequent evolution of a democratic government, which has lasted for 18 years in the country”, Amosun stated.
The governor described him as an institution that needed to be understudied to tap his vast knowledge and experience.
Commisserating with his immediate family, the government and people of Anambra state as well as the nation, he prayed for the repose of the soul of late Ekwueme.
