Umeh Says Nwankwo, Late NADECO Chieftain, A Politician Of Strong Principle
Sen. Victor Umeh, former National Chairman of All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has described late Dr Arthur Nwankwo, former national vice chairman of national Democratic Coalition as a man strong principle whose consistency contemporary politicians should emulate.
Umeh who represented Anambra Central in the 8th Senate said this when he paid tribute to the late author and politicians in his home town, Ajali, Orumba North Local Government of Anambra.
Nwankwo died on Feb. 1 at the age of 81.
He said Nwankwo was a man of indomitable spirit who believe equality for all and was ready to subject himself to difficulties because of his convictions.
Umeh said he personally went to pay tribute to him in recognition of his many struggles adding that this death was a great loss to Igbo nation and Nigeria in general.
According to him, Arthur Nwankwo was a great man, his death is a great loss to Igboland and Nigeria, had indomitable spirit and vision, you will agree with me that he was a man of principle who was committed to his visions and ideals.
“He believed that Nigeria should accord equal rights to every citizen of this country irrespective of where he comes from, that was what he lived for and at a time he lent his rebel mind against the authorities when it was difficult to continue without challenge.
“He was a great man in NADECO, he fought many battle and nobody was able to compromise him. He was simple, fearless and audacious, by his death, Nigeria has lost a prince of justice who never yielded to bribery and corruption and his views were permanent until he died.
“His first book I read, “Nigeria: the Challenge of Biafra” I read through his mind that he stood for justice and a great historian who understood many empires how they rise and what led to their fall.
“He was a Marxist, never mingled with strange bed fellows, he was interested in the masses, if we can imbibe his type of consistency, it will help deepen our search for social justice in Nigeria
“We regret that such a man is no longer in our midst, we miss him,” he said.
Umeh said the best way to immortalise Nwankwo was to emulate his set of principles of not jumping from one political party to another not because of what they can get for the masses but for selfish reasons.
“He never went with the larger majority, in politics he was a member of Peoples Redemption Party when many were in NPP an UPN.
“Nwankwo and his friend late Balarabe Musa subjected themselves to hardship in order to drive home their point, we should learn from them and stop the culture of moving from place to place for convenience.
