PDP Extols Ekwueme 

By Onyebuchi Ezigbo in Abuja

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has described former Vice President, Alex Ekwueme, as one of the patriotic Nigerians that fought for the enthronement of democratic rule in the country.

In a statement issued yesterday to celebrate the 85th birthday of Ekwueme who was the first Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the PDP, the Chairman of the National Caretaker Committee,  Senator Ahmed Makarfi, said he is a great asset to the country.

The statement signed by its spokesman, Dayo Adeyeye, said having served Nigeria in various capacities, the former vice president has made enormous contributions to the growth and development of the country.

PDP said it is noteworthy that Ekwueme, is its founding chairman and the first chairman of its BoT, who mobilised the Group of 34 (G-34) eminent Nigerians that rescued Nigeria and Nigerians from General Sani Abacha’s military permutation of transmuting to a civilian president.

“Ekwueme is indeed an asset to this great country,  and the PDP in particular; and we will remain grateful to him and other patriotic Nigerians who fought for the enthronement this democratic dispensation to date.

“On behalf of the entire PDP family nationwide, we heartily congratulate the former vice president, the Ide of Oko and Aguta Kingdoms in Anambra State, Alex Ifeanyichukwu Ekwueme on the occasion of his 85th birthday on  October 21, 2017.

“Ekwueme was the first elected Vice President of Nigeria from 1979 to 1983 before the administration was  rudely overthrown by the Military junta led by General Muhammadu Buhari.

“Ide as he is fondly called, is a man of many firsts, a distinguished architect with the first indeginous architectural firm in Nigeria who rose to preside over the Institute of Architects, and the Architects Council of Nigeria, a lawyer, sociologists, philosopher, historian, and public servant, trained in the USA and London, respectively.  Apart from having served Nigeria in various capacities, his excellency has been making remarkable contributions to the growth of his community’s socio-economic condition especially, in the education of several youths to universities in Nigeria and abroad through sponsorship from his Educational Trust Fund,” it said.