Five years ago, almost to this day, the vacuum created by the death of Dr. Alex Ifeanyichukwu Ekwueme in the nation’s political life is yet to be filled. It is hardly to be imagined how low Nigerian democracy has been running, and to what weakness its riders have been reduced through avoidable crises. And it looks like there are no statesmen in the mould of Ekwueme to steer the ship ashore.
Until the military’s convoluted transition to civil rule which ended in fiasco on June 12, 1993, Ekwueme, Nigeria’s Vice President between 1979 and 1983, was almost in the background, never quite in focus. But he would be stirred to action the moment it was clear that the General Sani Abacha’s transition to civil rule was a ruse – a winding path that was leading nowhere.
Leading a group of patriotic Nigerians, known as G-34, Ekwueme openly and courageously confronted Abacha and his devious scheme to perpetuate himself in office. It was clear at the time that the monster of military impudence had no intention of disengaging from power unless forced. With no want of courage, the G-34, led by Ekwueme, decided to force him by engaging his government head-on. The battle would snap in the favour of the group when, on June 8, 1998, Abacha suddenly died and the transmutation plot completely fell through.
A man of firm resolve with unwavering nationalist outlook, Ekwueme had huge political capital which the passage of time may never erode. Urbane and temperate, he was without the manners of a typical Nigerian politician and was never seen dipping his verbal arrow in flame. Even when he was wrongfully arrested and detained by the Major General Muhammadu Buhari junta and was later vindicated by Justice Sampson Uwaifo military tribunal, Ekwueme betrayed no anger. Rather he kept faith with Nigeria and contributed immensely to her overall development. Reinforcing this view, his boss and former civilian president of Nigeria, Alhaji Shehu Shagari said: “That was why in spite of the ordeals he went through in the hands of the military and the campaign of calumny against his person, his character remained impeccable and impeachable”. Ekwueme was mild of speech and of action, but firm and courageous. He was a man of ideas who knew how to put them into practice.
He should have been 90 today, but gloriously joined his ancestors five years ago. Born in Oko, Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State, on October 21, 1932, he attended King’s College, Lagos. He studied Architecture and City Planning at the University of Washington, earning a Master’s Degree in Urban Planning and a Doctoral in Architecture from University of Strathclyde, United Kingdom.
A man of great learning and uncommon knowledge, he majored in diverse disciplines, obtaining degrees in Sociology, History, Philosophy, and Law from the University of London. Only a brilliant, indeed a studious person like Ekwueme could attain his height in learning and remained self-effacing. His multi-disciplinary background often reflected in his robust views and seminal contributions. Some of these contributions can be found in one of his books, ‘Whither Nigeria: Thoughts on Democracy, Politics and Constitution (1999-2000)’.
Long before he joined politics and rose to become Nigeria’s Vice President, he had a thriving career in architecture. He was easily one of Nigeria’s best and had some of the finest architectural designs that are dotting the country’s landscape. As a foremost indigenous architect and town planner, he headed the team that planned the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja even while serving as Nigeria’s Vice President. From the stable of the Ekwueme Associates, Architects and Town Planners, there are many landmark edifices like Universal Insurance Building, Enugu, United Christian College, Apapa, NNPC Administrative Building, Modotels range of hotels etc. He also had some impacts in the design of almost all the urban and town planning master plans of the old 19 states’ capitals at the outset of their creations.
Before his death in 2017, Ekwueme held the Grand Commander of Nigeria (GCON) honour and was well recognized within and outside Nigeria. Alex Ekwueme Federal University (AE-FUNAI) with student population of over ten thousand and staff strength of two thousand, three hundred, formerly Federal University Ndufu-Alike, Ikwo Ebonyi State, was renamed after him. Ekwueme was an outstanding Nigerian with unwavering interest in building bridges for a stronger and healthier nation. It is fortuitous that his landmark birthday of 90 is coming at uncertain political times to remind us of the path not taken. Remembering Ekwueme at 90 is a soft reminder to our politicians to rededicate themselves to the national ideals and ethos which defined his politics and public engagements.
Written by EJIKE ANYADUBA
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