President Muhammadu Buhari has mourned the death of former Vice Chairman of National Democratic Coalition (NADECO), Dr Arthur Agwuncha Nwankwo.
Dr Nwankwo, also the Founder and Chancellor of the Eastern Mandate Union (EMU), died on Saturday. He was 78.
In a condolence message to the family and friends of the departed as well as all the people of Anambra State, the President noted that “the sacrifices and labour of the nationalist will always be remembered by posterity”.
President Buhari, according to a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, said the late Dr Nwankwo stood for a united and democratically developed Nigeria, at great risks.
“The President commiserates with family, friends, professional and political associates of Dr Nwankwo, urging them to find solace in the contributions of the writer to national and global development by consistently pursuing and projecting values of peace, unity and love.
“President Buhari affirms that the late writer’s bridge-building efforts, like supporting the famous Handshake Across the Niger, and carefully picking the themes of his many publications to reflect national unity, while advocating for a collective vision, had served the purpose.
“The President believes Dr Nwankwo’s investments in humanity will endure, especially standing for democracy and development at great risks, and working hard to ensure that the pivotal institutions are strengthened and sustained.
“President Buhari prays that the almighty God will receive the soul of the departed statesman, and comfort his family,” the statement said.
Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi as well as a former presidential candidate and businessman, Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim, have mourned Dr Nwankwo.
Fayemi described Nwankwo’s death as a huge loss to the pro-democracy family and Nigeria, while Olawepo-Hashim said the late human rights crusader was an intellectual giant, patriot and crusader for democracy.
In a condolence message by his Chief Press Secretary, Yinka Oyebode, the Ekiti State governor noted that the late Dr Nwankwo was among the country’s foremost rights activists and a patriot who defied all odds in the battle against military dictatorship, which led to the enthronement of democracy in the country.
Olawepo-Hashim said the late Dr. Nwankwo lived an exemplary life for the promotion of good governance in Nigeria.
The late Dr. Nwankwo was running mate to Olawepo-Hashim during the 2019 presidential election.
In a statement in Abuja by his Chief Press Secretary, Hassan Ibrahim, the former presidential candidate said Nigeria, indeed the world, would miss Dr. Nwankwo at a time his contributions and counsel for the furtherance of a progressive Nigeria was needed.
The late Nwanko, he said, worked tirelessly for the return of Nigeria to democracy and deserved to be immortalised.
Former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi described the late Dr. Nwankwo as a unique Igbo man and a true Nigerian who deployed everything available to him to the liberation of the people and advancement of humanity.
Obi was reacting at the weekend to the death of Dr. Nwankwo.
He recalled Dr. Nwankwo’s “literary flowering” as a publisher and an author, saying the late writer saw “the pen as an instrument against abuse of human rights, dictatorship and absurdity”.
Obi, who said he had read some of his books, especially on the Civil War, lauded his unique ability to explain events and ideas in simple and exciting terms.
“One would also dictate patriotic zeal in every line of his writing, especially while condemning bad governance and offering solutions on how to get the business of managing Nigeria right by tackling corruption and related vices,” Obi said.