All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) National Chairman, Chief Victor
Umeh, has described late Chief Chukwuma Azikiwe as an apostle of
political negotiation, who seeked common good of Nigerians
irrespective of differences.
Umeh made this known on Saturday when he paid a condolence visit to
the Azikiwe family over the death of Chief Chukwuma Azikiwe, the
Owelle of Onitsha, in Onitsha, Anambra yesterday.
The late Chief Chukwuma Bamidele Azikiwe (75), who died on Sunday, May
10, is the first son of the late Zik of Africa, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe;
while Zik of Africa was the first President of Nigeria.
He also said that most of his recent close interaction with the
deceased shows that he still maintains the belief of his father, late
Zik of Africa, had in the unity and “indivisibility of Nigeria
brought about by age-long socio-cultural and historical ties’’.
“When Chief Chukwuma Azikiwe was alive he always talked about the
unity, oneness and indivisibility of the country, which long
socio-cultural and historical ties had made possible.
“However, he believed that APGA is a political party, which every
Igbo-man and by extension the entire old easterner region must belong
to.
“So that we would have a platform to negotiate with other political
parties at the Federal or national level.
“He advised us to negotiate with all political parties without
closing the door on any political party; which is the political
pattern and position the late Zik of Africa, his father, took to
achieve so much for the east and entire country,’’ he said.
Umeh said that till his death, the deceased was intellectual sound and
always engage in meaningful discourse on issues of national concerns.
The chairman said that he was greatly pained by his demise; adding
that the country and Igbo people have lost a bridge-builder and
apostle of inclusive negotiation.
“We commiserate with the family, people of Onitsha, Anambra and
Nigeria as a whole for this loss.
“We cannot question God; but we believe that he would rest in the
bosom of the Lord, Amen,’’ he said.
The chairman said that APGA would participate in his funeral
individually and collectively to see that he received a befitting
burial.
Responding, brother to the deceased, Dr Nwachukwu Azikiwe,
thanked the APGA Chairman and his entourage for the visit as well as
testimonies they shared about the positive interest of the deceased to
national issues.
“I want to thank you, APGA National Chairman and your entourage for
the visit; the strength and number of members of APGA presently here
shows the spirit of brotherhood, which is the hallmark of APGA,’’ he
said.
Umeh was accompanied to the visit by his wife, Mrs Priscilla Umeh; a
member of APGA Board of Trustees (BoT), Chief Rommy Ezeonwuka and the
Publicity Secretary of Ohaneze Worldwide, Mr Emejulu Okpalaukwu.
Highlights of the visit were the signing of condolence register by
Umeh and group photograph of Azikiwes and APGA executives.
