Maduako Igbokwe l Wednesday, July 20, 2022
ONITHSA, Anambra State Lawmakers on Tuesday paid last respect to one of their members Dr Okechukwu Okoye who was beheaded by unknown assailant.
The valedictory session in honour of the lawmaker representing Aguata Constituency II in the assembly was full of emotion and tears during the session attended by family members and friends .
Okoyeb was abducted on May 15 while the state police command confirmed his death on May 21. During the session, both family members and lawmakers demanded for justice for the beheaded lawmaker.
He was a first term lawmaker and the Chairman, House Committee on Information. In his valedictory speech, the Speaker of the house, Mr. Uche Okafor, described the late Okoye as an outspoken, peaceful, humane, selfless politician and an articulate legislator, who would be greatly missed by all.
According to Uchenna Okakor “this is one killing too many and we cannot continue like this in our state and we all know that is not in the character of Anambra people and indeed Igbo people to shed blood”
“We commiserate with the Okoye family of Isuofia in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra over the painful death of their son and one of us, Dr Okechukwu Okoye.
“He was abducted and gruesomely murdered by gunmen in the most horrible and barbaric manner. His death is still shocking to us and the entire state.
“Late Dr Okoye can be described as one of the finest, outspoken and articulate lawmaker. His sense of humour and humane disposition as well as his mastery of the rules of the house distinguished him among his colleagues. He was indeed the man of the people and a selfless politician. This legislative institution, his constituency and the entire state have lost a personality of many positive attributes,” he said.
Also speaking, the governor of the state Charles Soludo while condoling with the family of Late Okoye, said his administration was taking necessary measures to rid the state of criminals and bring Okoye’s murderers to book.
Soludo who was represented by his Deputy, Dr Onyekachi Ibezim, urged the Assembly and residents to cooperate with the state government and security agencies to address insecurity in the state. He urged the family of Late Okoye to take heart and assured them of the state government’s support.
In his comment, Mr Edward Ibuzo, representing Onitsha North Constituency ll, said that Okoye’s demise was an opportunity for everyone to reflect on their mortality. Speaking on behalf of the late Okoye’s family, Mr David Okoye, brother to the deceased, thanked the Assembly and demanded justice for the death of Dr Okechukwu Okoye.
“It is sad that since his death, we have not heard from the Assembly. All we want is justice for the death of our brother. Without justice all your eulogies is vanity and if his killers are not brought to book, we do not know who might be next, ” he said.
Another member of the Okoye’s family, Mr Dominic Okafor, urged the legislature to immortalise Late Okoye by coming up with bills to end insecurity in the state.
The Assembly in a resolution called for the arrest and prosecution of those who have a hand in the death of late Okey Okoye, contending that it would do all within it’s powers to ensure there is justice for the soul of their colleague.
Meanwhile, the Minority leader of the Assembly Mr Onyebuchi Offor moved a motion laying a curse on the killers, adding that they will not hear the cry of new born babies in their homes
“This is evil and we are laying a curse on the people that killed this young man and they will know no peace and they will not hear the cry of new born babies in their respective homes, he said.
Speaking on behalf of Ex- lawmakers Mr Okey Aronu who had represented the same Aguata 2 Constituency lamented that the membership of the state Assembly is not a money spinner to warrant Okoye”s kidnap and consequent killing.
He described the late lawmaker as a good Christian who led a simple and unassuming life style to the admiration of all and sundry. All lawmakers were dressed in black attires and took turns to speak on the Late Okoye in glowing terms.
The lawmakers thereafter observed one-minute silence and filed past the late legislator’s picture. The House later adjourned sitting to Thursday.
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