. Says hard to find his replacement

. We ‘ve lost a heavy weight – Sen Abaribe

. His exit big disaster – Sen Akobundu

. As S’East youths mourn

By Steve Oko

Former Senate President and the Chairman, Board of Trustees (BoT) of the main opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has expressed the demise of the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, as an irreplaceable loss of to the Igbo nation.

Senator Wabara who spoke with Vanguard said Iwuanyanwu’s death was the death of his political god-father, recalling the instrumentality of the late elder statesman, business guru and politician in his political trajectory.

The former Senate President who said he was devastated by the news of the exit of the late Ohanaeze helmsman, added that he was still in shock of the sad news.

He said:” It’s terrible and irreplaceable loss to Ndigbo. I was totally devastated when I heard of the demise of Chief Iwuanyanwu. We did not even hear that he was sick. All heard was his sudden death.

” He has left us when we needed him most to fight the cause of Ndigbo; to fight for the release of Nnamdi Kanu!

” I have looked around, and frankly, I have not seen any Igbo leader that can fit into his shoes now.

” He was a politician but more of an elder statesman who stood for us.

” I lost my biological father in 1987 but now, my political father is gone! Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu made me all that I am today in politics. He made several others. He was a man with a large heart and a father to all. May his soul rest in peace. We shall ever miss him”.

Senator Wabara prayed for God to grant the family the fortitude to bear loss.

Similarly, former Governor of Abia State, Senator Theodore Orji, who described Chief Iwuanyanwu as a bold and fearless leader, said Ndigbo had lost another icon.

Senator Orji who personally spoke with Vanguard, said he was very close to the late Ohanaeze PG, expressed shock over his sudden demise.

He said that the exit of Iwuanyanwu had created a big vacuum in Igbo leadership, regretting that he left at a time his fatherly wisdom and interventions were needed most.

Similarly, former Senate Minority Leader, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, described the death of  Iwuanyanwu as “a huge loss of a consummate Nigerian patriot who was also a heavyweight intellectually, financially, politically, culturally and socially in Igbo land and the whole of Nigeria.”

The former Abia Deputy Governor, in a statement by his Media Adviser Uchenna Awom, said he was saddened by the exit of Iwuanyanwu, “particularly at this time when he, along side other patriots have kick-started a crucial process that would enthrone a lasting peace and harmonious relationship in Nigeria especially in Igbo land.”

The statement read in part: “Here was a patriot, a consummate lover of our people and a focused progressive who was at the forefront of infrastructural revolution in the Old Imo State and the overall development of our dear country Nigeria.

“Chief Iwuanyanwu was an all rounder, who never glossed over responsibilities that would be beneficial to all irrespective of tribe or religion. Thank you for all you did for our people. We will miss your wise counsel and your focused leadership of Ohanaeze Ndigbo”, Abaribe said.

Senator Abaribe condoled with the family, Ndigbo, government and people of Imo State and Nigeria at large.

Reacting also, Senator Austin Akobundu representing Abia Central, described the demise of Iwuanyanwu as “a huge loss to Nigeria.”

The former Minister for Defense, in a statement  by his media office, said “Chief Iwuanyanwu died at a time Nigeria needed him most as his tireless and patriotic efforts towards achieving a more united, peaceful and progressive Nigeria were already yielding results and needed to be consolidated.”

He extolled him as “an elder statesman whose commitment to the socioeconomic wellbeing of the people was of utmost priority, hence, he founded business concerns where Nigerians from all walks of life were gainfully engaged.”

“The statement read: “As President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Iwuanyanwu was already achieving historic feats for the people. His dedication to the Nigeria Project will forever remain indelible in the annals of our history.

“We have indeed lost an uncommon patriot! I pray God to grant his soul eternal rest and give the family he left behind the fortitude to bear this painful loss,” he concluded.

Reacting also South East Youths for Good Governance, said Iwuanyanwu’s death was a big shock.

Chairman of the group, Dr Silas Eke, expressed sadness over the incident.

” It’s very shocking and difficult to believe. It was the devastating news. It’s very painful to lose such a human figure in the South East. We wish to express our deepest condolences to the family of the deceased, the South East region of Nigeria, the Nigeria nation at large and the world in general.”