by Obinna Akukwe
The Peoples Democratic Party has hailed the determination of Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari to give Owelle Chukwuma Azikiwe, first son of Nigeria’s first president, Rt Hon Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, a decent burial, despite opposition from some politicians in the zone who abandoned the family.
Speaking with Rev Obinna Akukwe, Director General, Igbo Mandate Congress (IMC) in Abuja on Thursday, after a meeting of committee of close friends and family members of the late Owelle, on Thursday in Abuja, a member of Board of Trustees of Peoples Democratic Party and former National Secretary of the party, Chief Rex Onyeabor described President Buhari’s involvement as very patriotic.
According to the party chieftain “Despite insinuations to the contrary, President Buhari had shown that he is a nationalist, especially in this patriotic effort to ensure that Owelle Chukwuma, a bosom friend, and patriot is given deserved burial. It is unfortunate that while other Igbo leaders abandoned this great son of Zik, probably due to his political ideology, it is a President of northern extraction who saw everything good in this incorruptible Igbo son and wants to give him final honor”. He added that “all Nigerians, irrespective of party affiliation should stand behind the President in this endeavor”
Chief Onyeabor however asserted that his support for Buhari’s action does not mean that he believes in the fragmentation and party schisms in the APC and expressed regret that the opposition cannot manage their victory. He described Owelle Azikiwe as bosom friend who would rather die that defraud anybody of a single kobo, and he resisted pressures to convert his privileged position to amass wealth.
Speaking in the same vein, another bosom friend of Owelle and second republic senator, Chief Dr Uche Offia Nwali described Owelle Chukwuma Azikiwe is an honest man who hated primitive acquisition of wealth. He asked Igbo leaders to emulate the examples of the late Owelle and unite for prosperity. Senator Offia Nwali, a member of Imeobi Ohanaeze Ndigbo, promised the involvement of Igbo Elders in support of Federal Gov
Chief Mrs Kate Onwe Acting Secretary General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Caretaker Committee and former Attorney General in Enugu and Ebonyi States , hailed the news that the Federal Government wants to get involved in Zik’s son’s burial and pleaded that” Igbos must unite behind Buhari and the Federal Government to make it a success, irrespective of party affiliations.”.
Igbo Mandate Congress (IMC) has exclusively reported that President Buhari has vowed to give the Zik’s Son a befitting burial and that in furtherance of his promise, the president sent Senator Chris Ngige , ex-Governor of Anamb ra State, to Onisi Onira residence of the Azikiwes for inspection and feedback.
Subsequently another meeting was held at Zik’s House on Monday, 6th July with the following in attendance: Senator Dr Chris Ngige (ex-Governor Anambra State), Engr Chukwuma Njaka (PA to Owelle Azikiwe), Mr Ifeanyi Okwudili (Nephew to Owelle Azikiwe), Rev Obinna Akukwe, (Director General, Igbo Mandate Congress (IMC)), and Barrister Emejulu Okpalaukwu (Assistant National Publicity Secretary, Ohanaeze Ndigbo and Chairman Igbo-Ohanaeze Integrity Groups).
The following Family members who had earlier briefed Buhari on the preparedness for the Burial at Aso Rock earlier in the month include Nwamulunamma Onuora Azikiwe (Spiritual Head of the Family), Akunne Arah Azikiwe (youngest brother of Rt Hon Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe) Engr Chukwuma Njaka (PA to late Owelle Chukwuma Azikiwe) and Senator Dr Chris Ngige (ex-Governor Anambra State).
Obinna Akukwe via [email protected], www. facebook.com/obinnaakukwe
