Akpabio, Fubara bicker over politics at Wigwe’s funeral
Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Governor Siminalayi Fubara bickered over politics at the funeral of the former CEO of Access Bank and banking icon, Herbert Wigwe.
The funeral service was conducted at the Redeemed Christian Church of God in Isiokpo in Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The Senate President asked the Rivers governor to quit his political career if he thinks it is not worthwhile.
Akpabio stated this while speaking in response to Fubara’s comment directed to the political class who attended Wigwe’s funeral.
Fubara had earlier during his speech at the funeral service, said, “What is this struggle all about? You want to kill, you want to bury, what is it all about? This is a man, he’s not a politician. He made his money through us, our investments.
“He has the world in his palm financially. He controls even the political classes. But today, with all the power financially, couldn’t control life.
“Is it not enough today to ask ourselves why are we struggling? Why are we not making impact in the life of our people? Please, political class, let’s go home with that question, and be answering it in our minds, and reflecting it in what we do.”
Reacting to the governor, Akpabio said if he (Fubara) believed there was nothing to the political struggle, he (Fubara) should withdraw from the acclaimed struggle.
The Senate President said, “We’re not going to cry in one day alone, we’ll cry so many days. When you look at the university, you will cry. When you pass through his personal house and edifice, you will cry.
“Any of the Access Bank branches worldwide, whether the one in Dubai, or whether the one in Kenya or anywhere, you will cry. The children that he touched, those that he sent to school and the lives he touched, when they are talking about it and they mention his name, you will cry.
“Then you will ask yourself, just like Governor Fubara said, what is the struggle all about? Your excellency, Governor Fubara, if there is nothing in the struggle, don’t struggle.”
Akpabio, while eulogising Wigwe, said, “Herbert was an iconic person; he was a people’s person. I believe he was a friend and a brother to all that came across him.”
Recall that Herbert Wigwe, along with his wife, Chizoba, and son, Chizi, have been laid to rest in a private interment in their hometown of Omueke, Isiokpo, Rivers State.
The funeral comes after a week-long series of funeral rites honouring the life of the banking executive and his family.
The funeral service was attended by politicians, business leaders, mourners from various spheres, including friends, associates, and well-wishers from both local and international communities.
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