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The nation reacts to former Vice President's death

Praises have been showered on the deceased Ekwueme since the announcement of his death.

Dr Ekwueme was Nigeria's first elected Vice President who served as former President Shehu Shagari's deputy on the platform of the National Party of Nigeria (NPN) between 1979 and 1983.

Since his brother, Igwe Laz Ekwueme, broke the sad news, encomiums have been showered on the popular public servant from all levels of government.

Here are some of the reactions:

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President Muhammadu Buhari

"I mourn the death of former Vice President, Dr. Alex Ekwueme, a patriot and statesman. His life was marked by an unwavering commitment to the unity and progress of Nigeria; and his personal sacrifices helped lay the foundation for our democracy.

"Dr. Ekwueme lived a worthy life, excelled in professional practice, in business, in politics, in philanthropy. He served Nigeria and humanity. We will miss his counsel and wisdom on national issues. May his soul rest in peace.

"My condolences go to his family, friends, the Government and people of Anambra State, Ndigbo, and to the entire nation. May God grant his family the fortitude to bear this loss."

Former President, Shehu Shagari

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"It is with deep sense of loss that I learned about the demise of my brother and former vice president. On behalf of my family, I sincerely commiserate with Nigerians on his death. May his soul rest in peace."

Senate President, Bukola Saraki

"Today, I join Ndigbo and the entire nation to mourn the passing of one of Nigeria's most illustrious sons, H.E. Dr. Alex Ekwueme, our first elected Vice-President. As we mourn his death, we celebrate his dedication and service to the development of our country.

"I will always remember Dr. Alex Ekwueme for his exemplary courage in the face of overwhelming odds - when he stood up to past military regimes, and his dexterity in his personal pursuits as a successful architect, lawyer, businessman and philanthropist.

"I pray for God's strength for Dr. Alex Ekwueme's family at this difficult time. May the Almighty in His infinite wisdom and grace continue to guide the family and the nation that he has left behind. He was a rare man and a great leader, as such, he will be missed."

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Speaker, House of Representatives

"In times as these, elderly wisdom, experience and guidance of Dr. Ekwueme is needed by leaders at all levels so as to enable us surmount the daunting challenges confronting us as a country and as Africans.

"Dr. Ekwueme was a philanthropist, a famous professional architect, lawyer, brilliant politician and a man of peace whose efforts in building bridges of friendship amongst the various peoples of Nigeria is legendary.

"He played politics of ideas, principle and purpose and helped bring stability as Vice President in the Second Republic.

"The late elder statesman was credited with the introduction of the famous proposals for a just and equitable power sharing in Nigeria based on the six geopolitical zones which ensures a fair, just equitable and stable polity.

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"His contributions in the struggle for the restoration of democracy in 1999 when he mobilised the famous group of 34 eminent Nigerians who risked their lives and stood up against military dictatorship are still fresh in our minds.

"Indeed, he lived a life worthy of emulation and left an indelible mark in the annals of the history of Nigeria. He was truly a political collosus and giant whose shoes will be difficult to fill.

"As it was said of all the saints and sages, we take solace in the fact that he has gone to rest having emptied himself while he walked the earth and served humanity even in his final hours.

"I want to express our heartfelt condolences to the Ekwueme family, the government and people of Anambra state over this huge and irreparable loss. May His gentle soul rest in perfect peace."

Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar

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"Saddened by the passing of Dr Alex Ekweme, our former Vice President. He was a man of character and never faltered in his belief in Nigeria.

"Dr Alex and I were part of the 1995 Constitutional Conference, which recommended that Nigeria be restructured along six geo-political zones. We will miss his focused guidance."

Imo State governor, Rochas Okorocha

"Dr. Ekwueme launched the Igbo into national politics since the second Republic and refused to be cajoled into playing tribal politics, and until his death, Dr. Ekwueme remained in the mainstream of Nigerian politics because of his firm believe in oneness of the nation.

"The only regret about Dr. Ekwueme at the moment is that he has died at a time his wealth of experience and his wise advice would have been most needed and most useful to all Nigerians of goodwill.

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"Nigerians and of course, Ndi-Igbo in particular would greatly miss Dr. Ekwueme and prays that the good LORD should grant his soul eternal rest."

Sokoto State governor, Aminu Tambuwal

"For us in Sokoto, Dr. Ekwueme's death comes with extra pain because he was Vice President to one of our distinguished sons, Turakin Sokoto, Alhaji Shehu Shagari.

"The deceased proved himself an able lieutenant who together with other members of their team, gave their best for the unity, progress and stability of the Nigerian federation in the Second Republic and beyond.

"His death has therefore closed a chapter in the life of one Nigeria’s most respected voices who made his mark in both public and private sectors."

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The South-East Governors Forum

"The death of our father and leader, Dr. Ekwueme is so devastating especially now that his fatherly advice is needed most. He was a great Nigerian and great believer in the unity of the country. As his children, we have learnt a lot from his deep political sagacity.

"As the Vice President of Nigeria, Ekwueme was a great rallying factor of Igbo socio-political integration. He was a voice of reason and a man who toiled to place Ndigbo at the centre of mainstream politics. Indeed, we have lost a rare gem, a gentleman and a decent politician and academia."

Former Minister of Education, Oby Ezekwesili

"Really pained that former Vice President Alex Ekwueme did not make it back home to us and has now gone the way of all flesh. We remember him with fondness for his strides in the Land. May our Gracious God comfort Aunt Beatti, Chidi and all the Ekwueme clan."

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The President General of Ohanaeze, John Nwodo

"As Vice President, Dr Ekwueme was intellectually forthright, engaging, loyal and outstandingly patriotic. As a politician, he was courageous and original in his ideas. Ndigbo have lost a genius, a father and an intellectual giant."

Senator Gbenga Ashafa

"I commiserate with the Ekwueme family, the entire Ndigbo and our dear Country Nigeria, over the death of our Late Vice President, Elder States Man and Nationalist, Dr. Alex Ifeanyichukwu Ekwueme GCON, who passed on to glory yesterday, 19 November, 2017.

"I would always remember Dr. Ekwueme as an elder-gentleman who displayed a brilliant appreciation of National issues and always maintained a high command of reason and temperance in the face of issues that stirred passion among many others. He was also an advocate of a well balanced Nigeria where the rule of law and equity prevails.

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"Nigeria would surely miss his wealth of experience, knowledge and influence which he made readily available at every moment same any of these were required of him.

"May his gentle soul Rest in Perfect Peace."

Festus Keyamo, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN)

"It was just about two months ago that I last saw Dr. Alex Ekwueme. He was physically present at the Supreme Court for the induction of the new SANs. Such a fine gentleman. His passage is a big loss to the country as a whole. Deep commiseration to the Ekwueme family."

The All Progressives' Congress (APC)

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"Truly, the nation has lost a fine gentleman and a true patriot who demonstrated that politics and integrity are not incompatible.

"The APC will remember the late Ekwueme as a stabilizing voice in Nigerian politics over the years. Many will attest that the late Ekwueme's political ideas and interventions greatly and positively shaped the country's political fabric.

"As a Party, while the death of the late Ekwueme is a sad and painful loss, we should take solace in the fact that he lived a long, accomplished and impactful life. The task before us is to, therefore, keep his legacies aglow.

"The Party offers its heartfelt condolences to the late Ekwueme's family, the President of the country, the people and government of Anambra State over the sad loss. We pray the Almighty God grant his deserving soul eternal rest and the family the strength to bear the loss."

More reactions will be updated as they come in.

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