Former Governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano, has expressed grief over the demise, last week, of two prominent politicians from the South East geopolitical zone of Nigeria, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu and Senator Ifeanyi Uba.
In a statement, at the weekend, the former governor stressed the importance of the two political leaders in the political development of the South East and the country in general.
Iwuanyanwu was, until his death on July 25, 2024, the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, while Uba was representing Anambra South in the red chamber until his passing on July 27. The senator, who was the Chief Executive Officer of Capital Oil, had his eyes on Anambra governorship seat in 2025.
While eulogising the two leaders for their contribution to national development, Obiano lamented that Iwuanyanwu left the country when his leadership potential was needed to address the socio-political crisis in the South East and the country at large.
He added that Uba died when his state, Anambra, needed his leadership qualities to drive the state to a new level of human and infrastructural development.
“Chief Emmanuel Chukwuemeka Iwuanyanwu, the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, who aspired thrice to lead the country, died when he was about to unwrap his envious plan for Ndigbo through Ohanaeze platform. Even, the present administration at the federal level also was expecting his fatherly advice to address some of the challenges facing the country.
“Ifeanyi Uba was in the Senate representing Anambra South. He was aspiring to lead our state, Anambra, through the next governorship election next year. A young man in his prime, his lofty plans for Anambra have been lost,” he stated.
Obiano prayed for the repose of the souls of Iwuanyanwu and Uba, asking God to rest their souls.
He added, “May their souls rest in peace, and may God give their bereaved families the fortitude to bear the losses.”