Anambra State Governor Prof Chukwuma Soludo on Saturday expressed displeasure with the printing of brochures for the burial of the state’s former governor Chukwuemeka Ezeife in Awka.
Ezeife died at the Federal Medical Centre, Abuja on December 14, 2023, at the age of 85.
In his remarks, Soludo praised the late Ezeife, stressing that he lived the kind of lifestyle he was known to preach.
He condemned the printing of brochures, banners and other materials used for the burial ceremony, noting that the state’s burial laws passed and signed in 2019 during the tenure of former governor Willie Obiano prohibit them.
Soludo said, “I must not leave without saying this, if the Okwadike that I knew were to be alive, he would not have supported most of what is being done here today. When I got here and saw brochures printed, I said this is wrong, because it is against the Anambra State Burial Laws.
“Some people texted me asking to print some materials for the burial but I told them they don’t have waivers to do such because it is against the burial laws in Anambra State. Printing of any materials for burial in Anambra is meant to be for just one day. That is the law.
“We won’t enforce the law when a poor man dies and then overlook it when a rich man dies, no.
“I did not pass the law, the law was passed two years before I became governor of Anambra State.”
Among dignitaries who attended the funeral service was the governor of Ebonyi State, Francis Nwifuru, who was represented by his deputy, Patricia Obila.
A thanksgiving service will conclude the ceremonies at the Salvation Army Church, Igboukwu, on Sunday.
