Politicians, Groups Pay Tributes To Ojukwu

Politicians, individuals and groups in Abia State  have expressed sorrow over the death of the Ikemba of  Nnewi, Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu.

A cross-section of those who spoke with newsmen on the death, paid glowing tribute to Ojukwu, describing him as a distinguished Igbo man who made personal sacrifices for the liberation of his people.

The Chairman of the All Nigeria Peoples Party in the state, Chief Cassidy Agbai, who screamed on the phone when contacted for reaction, described the death of Ojukwu as “shocking” and “a great loss to the Igbos”.

He described Odumegwu-Ojukwu as “a core Igbo man” who believed in the cause of the Igbo and had no regret for the actions he took to protect his people.

He said that Igbos “cannot have Ojukwu’s match, except by the special grace of God”.

Speaking in the same vein, the PDP Chairman in the state, Sen. Emma Nwaka, described Ojukwu’s death as “a painful loss to the Igbos”.

Nwaka told newsmen on telephone that the death of the former Biafran leader “has created a vacuum that cannot be easily filled.

“He was a rallying point for Ndigbo and stood out when we needed him most,” he said.

He described Ojukwu as “a great man” who vied for the highest political office in the country even after leading a “rebellion” and was even revered by his political opponents.

The Chairman of the Civil Liberties Organisation in Abia, Mr Ifeanyi Onwuneme, said that Ojukwu succeeded in giving the Igbos a sense of belonging in the Nigerian nation.

Also reacting, Mr Larry Odima, the leader of the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) in Abia, said: “we are saddened by his death. “

Odima said that Ojukwu would be missed “because he was a man of greatness and wisdom”.

He said that Ojukwu was always directing their activities, pointing out that they never failed to consult him on any issues concerning the struggle for the outlawed Biafra.

He, however, remarked that “Ojukwu is not dead because Biafra lives and he handed over the Igbo leadership to the leader of MASSOB, Chief Ralph Uwazurike”.