In a press statement made available to news me in Abuja by his Media Office, Atiku Abubakar, the Waziri Adama described Dr Ekwueme as a ‘great man and democrat’, adding that Nigeria’s recent history of democracy and nation-building would be incomplete without his input.
Atiku Abubakar said Dr Ekwueme’s democratic credentials were of the highest quality saying further that he was always called upon by political leaders in the country notably in the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), to settle disputes and differences and him never for once was found wanting.
The Waziri Adamawa stated further that the late Dr Ekwueme, a man of great learning who had university degrees in multiple disciplines, was a wise man and a statesman, more than a politician.
Atiku said that while the average politician bothered more and often about the next election and which office they would occupy, the late Vice President concerned himself with the well-being of the country and how it can be better governed for the good of all.
He recalled that at the National Constitutional Conference, 1994-1995, the former Vice President was a star that attracted most other delegates because of his wisdom and moderate position on contentious political issues.
Atiku said that the late Vice President was always a voice of balance, moderation, and consensus.
Atiku remembered how in his wisdom, and concerned about the best structure that would give the best governance to the country, the late Ekwueme came up with the six geo-political zone structure, which had found its way into our political vocabulary because of its convenient nature and brilliance.
According to him, “We were all expecting to welcome him after a few weeks back to his beloved country, Nigeria in good health, only to be confronted by the sad reality of his transition. We cannot question the will of God but only to extend our solidarity and condolences to all who would miss his wisdom and fatherly presence.”
He enjoined members of the Ekwueme family, the government and people of Anambra State and the government and people of Nigeria to bear with stoicism the passing on of this great and illustrious political leader.
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