Lagos – The Lagos State House of Assembly on Monday described the late Dr Alex Ekwueme, Second Republic vice-president of Nigeria, as a patriot and true nationalist.
The Acting Chairman, House Committee on Information and Strategy, Mr Tunde Braimoh, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos that the death of the elder statesman was a painful loss to the country.
Ekwueme died in London on Sunday at 85.
Braimoh, who spoke on behalf of the House, said late Ekwueme’s meritorious service as vice president between 1979 and 1983 remain indelible.
“He was highly dignified and principled.
“Juxtaposed to his forthrightness, industry, ingenuity, intuition, moral rectitude and upright leanings, his demise is very regrettable,” the lawmaker said.
According to him, Ekwueme, who held the nation’s number two office when Alhaji Shehu Shagari was president, would be remembered for his belief in the unity of Nigeria.
He described Ekwueme as an astute, clairvoyant, quintessential politician and elder statesman.
Braimoh, who noted that death is unavoidable to all mortals, said: “What is important is the legacies for which we shall be remembered.
“In the case of Dr Ekwueme, it is gratifying that we have fond memories of him.
“It is also reprieving to recall the herculean efforts and battles to save his life, and that his death might as well be a well-deserved rest after the struggles of life and living”.
He commiserated with Nigerians, especially the people of the South-East, on the death of Ekwueme.
Prof. Oluremi Sonaiya, a former Presidential candidate of KOWA Party, also condoled with the Ekwueme family and prayed that God would grant them the wisdom to carry on.
Chief Martin Onovo, a former Presidential candidate of National Conscience Party, prayed that the late Ekwueme’s soul would rest in peace.
“We commiserate with the Ekwueme family of Oko in Anambra and all Nigerians on the death of Dr Alex Ekwueme.
“He was a democrat of high intellectual capacity and achievement. May his soul rest in peace,’’ Onovo said.
Also, Prof. Lai Olurode, a former National Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), urged politicians to learn from late Ekwueme’s politics of “live and let live’’.
“A fine gentleman, a distinguished architect and a formidable pillar of the second republic is no more.
“Other politicians and public figures should learn from his `politics of live and let live’.
“The late Vice President Ekwueme was a man of peace, a symbol of politics without bitterness and a bridge builder who was a son of the east, an ally of the South-South, well trusted by the North and a friend of the West.
“May God grant the family the grace to bear the loss,’’ Olurode said.
