Ex-PDP Presidential Aspirant Anakwenze says former Anambra Governor Ezeife's death a national loss

A former Presidential Aspirant on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Dr Nwachukwu Anakwenze and also as Onowu Abagana, has described the passage of a former Governor of Anambra State, Dr Chukwuemeka Ezeife as a great loss to the Ndigbo worldwide and the entire nation.

Ezeife, a former Presidential Aspirant, a former Political Adviser to the President and a former Permanent Secretary died on Thursday last week, aged 85.

In a statement signed on Monday by his Director General, Anakwenze recalled the commendable role played by the departed in the pro-democracy struggles to revalidate Nigeria's freest and fairest Presidential election won by the departed multimillionaire Chief Moshood Abiola, but which was annulled by the Ibrahim Babangida military dictatorship.

In his words: "I recall with a sense of loss mixed with gratitude the exemplary role played by Dr Chukwuemeka Ezeife together with other commemdable heroes of the June 12 struggle who sacrificed their comfort and put their lives on the line to fight for the restoration of democracy in our dear fatherland Nigeria.

"The fruit of their struggle is what all Nigerians are enjoying today in the prevailing Democratic dispensation under which our dear Country stands the chance to transform into a Nation-State under the Rule of Law and that will cater for the overall inteeest of our people indiscriminately irrespective of ethnic, religious, social or any other backgrounds."

Anakwenze also described as commendable and imperishable the contributions of Ezeife to the development of Anambra State when he served as Governor between January 1992 and November 1993 in the aborted Third Republic.

He regretted that the death of Ezeife fondly called Okadike has robbed Nigeria of a detribalised leader whose exemplary traits and towering influence in shaping bpublic opinions are neded greatly in the ongoing efforts to rebuild Nigeria into a Country for all.

"All the same, I hope and pray fervently that the path of Dr Chukwuemeka Ezeife will be blessed, and that he will find all the help he needs on his journey back home', Anakwenze added.