Maduako Igbokwe I Sunday, October 23, 2022
AWKA, Anambra, Nigeria – Despite political rivalries, Senator Uche Ekwunife and Senator Victor Umeh participated in the funeral mass held at St. Theresa Catholic Church, Enugwu Ukwu, Njidoka local government council of Anambra State in honour of the late Pa Boniface Nwankwo who passed on at the age of 83 years.
Late Pa Boniface Nwankwo was the father of Lawmaker representing Anaocha Dunukofia and Njikoka Federal Constituency and All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) Senatorial candidate for Anambra Central Senatorial District, Hon. Dozie Nwankwo.
Dozie Nwankwo defeated senator Victor Umeh at the APGA senatorial primaries to pick party’s senatorial ticket on May 28th 2022. The trio are senatorial candidates for Anambra Central senatorial District in the 2023 general election on different political Parties .
Ekwunife is PDP Senatorial candidate, Victor Umeh Labour Party candidate ,while Dozie Nwankwo is APGA candidate for Anambra Central senatorial District in the forthcoming elections. Hon. Nwankwo who was excited by the presence of his co- contenders said politics is different from brotherhood and sisterhood.
According to him, they are brothers and sisters before pitching tents with their various political parties I’am happy to have senator Iyom Uche Ekwunife and my elder brother Senator Victor Umeh. We are first brothers and sisters before becoming politicians. We share in our joys and sorrows, we are one ” he said .
According to him, brother and sisterhood supersede political interest and they must remain united despite political affiliations. He, however expressed the family gratitude to families, friends, business and political associates who came from all walks of life to commiserate with him and his family.
“My father will always tell me it’s not about money. He worked hard and achieved lots of things in his life. He was a man of peace and goodwill and as his son, I’m proud to say he lived a life well spent,” he noted.
Governor of Anambra State Prof Charles Soludo, while sympathizing with the family of the Lawmaker over the loss of his father, late Boniface Okonkwo Nwankwo said, he had looked through his biography and quite frankly, he lived an exemplary life.
“Looking at his life, he didn’t just live but lived to matter, he lived an impactful life” he said. He prayed that the Lord Almighty will give the family the strength and fortitude to bear the lost.
Charles Soludo also commended all contenders for Anambra Central Senatorial District for showing up despite political differences.
“The co contestants for Anambra Central senatorial District are here to commiserate with their brother. That is Anambra State spirit, we must keep it up ” he said. According to Soludo, every political war shall be verbal and must not go beyond words of mouths.
“Anambra which is the light of the nation is also a light of peace and the forthcoming election will be peaceful, Anambra should emulate late Pa Nwankwo. That is the spirit of Anambra. Anambra is not known for violence! Rather, we use “court order” to fight our battles,” Soludo stated.
In attendance were Former Governor of Rivers State and Minister of Transportation, Rt Hon Rotimi Ameachi, APGA Presidential Candidate, Prof. Peter Umeadi, Member representing Anambra East & West Federal Constituency, Chief Chinedu Obidigwe, Senator representing Anambra Central, Iyom Uche Ekwunife, Labour Party Senatorial Candidate for Anambra Central, Sen. Victor Umeh, Labour Party Senatorial Candidate for Anambra North, Dr. Tony Nwoye, top Government officials, Traditional Rulers among others.