Traditional ruler of Umutowe Autonomous Community Eze Godfrey Onwuka has revealed that the former PDP national chairman, Vincent Ogbulafor, died of cancer, not while having a kidney transplant as rumoured.
Ogbulafor died in Canada on Thursday at the age of 73.
Speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria on Saturday, Onwuka, the traditional ruler of Ogbulafor’s community said, “This is a very painful loss to Umutowe, Olokoro and Abia in general.”
Onwuka described the deceased as an illustrious son of the community, known for his philantropy and community development efforts.
“You know he was prominent in the country, having held very high political positions. He helped to give employment to many people from our community.
“So, losing him now is early and painful,” the royal father said.
He noted that in his last telephone conversation with Ogbulafor, “he confirmed to me that his ailment had nothing to do with kidney transplant.
“He said that they were diagnosing something else and by the time it was realised that it was cancer, the situation had become worse,” he said.
“So, he died of cancer and not kidney transplant as being rumoured,” the traditional ruler said.
Ogbulafor’s younger sister, Princess Nwanyieze Ogbulafor, also spoke with NAN.
She said, “We were with him when he passed on in Canada after a prolonged illness. We are crying and mourning him and at the same thanking God for the good and accomplished life he lived.
“Those who knew him as friends and political associates will testify that he was a good man. We are consoled because we believe that he will be resting with his creator now.”
She noted that Ogbulafor would have clocked 74 in November.
Ogbulafor is survived by a nonagenarian mother, wife, among other relations.
