The roll call included former vice president Atiku Abubakar, Governors Aminu Tambuwal, Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, David Umahi, Okezie Ikpeazu; Deputy Governors Nkem Okeke of Anambra state and Eze Madumere of Imo State.
Others present at the commendation service included former Secretary to the Government of Federation, Anyim Pius Anyim, former Governors Peter Obi, James Ibori, Sam Egwu, Chris Ngige and Jim Nwobodo. The list also included Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu, former Senate President Ken Nnamani, senators, the officiating priest and Bishop of Enugu Ecclesiastical Province of the Anglican Communion, Archbishop Emmanuel Chukwuma who took a swipe on the gathered politicians, saying it was shameful that Nigeria cannot afford good health care facilities that made the Federal Government fly the late Ekwueme to a foreign hospital.
Chukwuma wished that all the ceremonies for Ekwueme’s burial were done for him on his 85th birthday anniversary. “Even President Buhari who used proceeds of corruption to get into power is paying tribute 32 years after he threw Ekwueme into prison,” he lambasted.
Chukwuma said that Ekwueme stood for restructuring of Nigeria, noting that he was never a man of rough edges. “Who will now become the Igbo leader since most of you are playing politics of selfishness?” Chukwuma wondered.
On his own account, Senator Victor Umeh said Ekwueme was the best president Nigeria missed to have. “He was in the best position to be President of Nigeria in 1999. He formed PDP and met all the criteria to be President but for conspiracy. “The lesson is that he was always on the right path, insisting that Nigeria must be restructured. Who will bail the cat now, who will tell Nigerians the truth? The search continues,” Umeh said.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar said he disagreed with Ekwueme during the 1994 Constitutional Conference when Ekwueme proposed the 6 geopolitical zonal structure but later realised his wisdom.
Governor Aminu Tambuwal said he brought greetings from former President Shehu Shagari whom Ekwueme worked with as a team in the second republic.
Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi in his poetry recalled William Shakespeare’s description of the world as a stage with entrances and exits, saying that “Ekwueme was a beacon of democracy who bestowed the landscape like a colossus.”
President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Nnia Nwodo recalled that Ekwueme, the great architect drew the Uli airport that saved the then Biafra republic from starvation and ex-communication, noting also that Ekwueme made it possible for Nigeria to have a ministry of science and technology.
Senator Ike Ekweremadu stated that like Abraham in the Bible, Ekwueme had many children, not encumbered by tribe or religion, saying he was sure the late sage was now in heaven with God. Appreciating the commendations on behalf of the Ekwueme family, Prof. Obumneme Ekwueme said the family was overwhelmed by the spontaneity of love showed on the late vice president.