Former presidential candidate Peter Obi has expressed sorrow over the death of the president-general of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, describing it as devastating and heartbreaking.
Iwuanyanwu, the publisher of Champion Newspapers, died on Thursday aged 82.
Mourning the businessman in a post on X, Obi said: “I am greatly disheartened by the death of an elder statesman and President of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu. The devastating report of his death has left all who knew him heartbroken.”
Eulogising Iwuanyanwu, Obi said: “He was not just a father to many, but a bridge builder who remained committed to the peaceful coexistence of all groups in the nation. He was undoubtedly a deeply patriotic Nigerian whose desire for justice, equity, progress and development of the nation transcended tribal boundaries. Chief Iwuanyanwu was one of those revered father figures who have always given me useful advice.”
Obi said he recalled visiting him at the hospital on July 11 with the secretary-general of Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Okey Emuchey. The Labour Party leader said Iwuanyanwu promised him that he would recover from the ailment.
“I sincerely condole with his immediate family, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, and the entire nation over the death of this revered patriarch. May God grant us all the fortitude to bear his sad loss and grant him eternal rest,” Obi added.
