Alex Ekwueme was betrayed by Nigeria – Ibori

-Ibori claims most Nigerians are shedding crocodile tears over the death of former Vice President Alex Ekwueme.

-He opined that Ekwueme might have given the nation better leadership if he had been afforded the opportunity during his lifetime.

James Ibori mourns late Alex Ekwueme.

Former governor of Delta state and PDP chieftain, Chief James Ibori, says the late ex-Nigerian Vice President, Alex Ekwueme, might have led Nigeria to greener pastures, were he given the opportunity to govern the country.

According to Ibori, Nigerians are not been sincere with the various accolades and encomium been showered on the late Ekwueme after his death.

In a statement by Tony Eluemunor, his spokesman, Ibori described Ekwueme as a scholar, gentleman, father figure and statesman who lived a full life.

Recall Ekwueme died on Sunday in a London hospital where he was receiving treatment after he collapsed and went into coma in Nigeria few weeks ago.

Ibori, however, said he could not stop asking “what if?” Ekwueme had been the president of Nigeria.

He said with Ekwueme’s demise, the nation would never know the examples he would have set as president.

“Though His Excellency, Dr. Alex Ekwueme, GCON, was a great leader, a national father-figure, a stabilizing factor in Nigerian politics, I Chief James Onanefe Ibori can never stop asking “what if!” Ibori said.

“It is ironic that the nation that betrayed this man’s effort to rescue it from political and economic morass will, now that he is dead, begin to shed crocodile tears.

“Even those who betrayed the very effort to make Ekwueme President, may begin to, hypocritically, of course, bewail the fact that Ekwueme or the Igboman or woman, never ruled Nigeria.

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“Ekwueme was an extraordinary polyvalent scholar who earned multiple degrees in Architecture, urban planning, sociology, history, philosophy and law from several universities. He was a gifted architect whose professional legacies dot various Nigerian cities.

“In politics, he was both gentlemanly and fatherly, introducing mildness even when the others had embraced roughness and irascibility.

“If only we had allowed Ekwueme to rule Nigeria, what example would he have set? Now, we will never know…and Nigeria is the ultimate loser.

“Ekwueme has lived a full life; he has given a radiant account of himself and we all agree he was outstanding.

“May the Almighty God grant his gentle soul eternal rest and pour His consolation upon his family.”