Soludo, Assembly members weep, bid beheaded lawmaker farewell
Anambra Governor, Chukwuma Soludo and Assembly members on Tuesday wept at the valedictory session in honour of lawmaker Dr Okechukwu Okoye killed by gunmen.
The lawmaker, who was beheaded on May 15, represented Soludo’s Aguata 11 Constituency.
Anambra Speaker Uche Okafor described the late Okoye as an outspoken, peaceful, humane, selfless politician and an articulate legislator, who would be greatly missed by all.
“We commiserate with the Okoye family of Isuofia in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra over the painful death of their son and one of us, Dr Okechukwu Okoye.
“He was abducted and gruesomely murdered by gunmen in the most horrible and barbaric manner. His death is still shocking to us and the entire state. Late Dr Okoye can be described as one of the finest, outspoken and articulate lawmaker.
“His sense of humour and humane disposition as well as his mastery of the rules of the house distinguished him among his colleagues.
“He was indeed the man of the people and a selfless politician. This legislative institution, his constituency and the entire state have lost a personality of many positive attributes,” he said.
Soludo, represented by his deputy, Dr Onyekachi Ibezim, said his administration was taking necessary measures to rid the State of criminals and bring Okoye’s murderers to justice.
He urged the Assembly and residents to cooperate with the state government and security agencies to address insecurity in the state.
He urged the family of Late Okoye to take heart and assured them of the the state government’s support.
One of the lawmakers, Hon Edward Ibuzo, representing Onitsha North Constituency ll, said Okoye’s demise was an opportunity for everyone to reflect on their mortality.
Speaking on behalf of the late Okoye’s family, Mr David Okoye, brother to the deceased, thanked the Assembly and demanded justice for the death of Dr Okechukwu Okoye.
“It is sad that since his death, we have not heard from the Assembly. All we want is justice for the death of our brother. Without justice all your eulogies are vanity and if his killers are not brought to book, we do not know who might be next,” he said.
Another member of the Okoye’s family, Mr Dominic Okafor, urged the legislature to immortalise Late Okoye by coming up with bills to end insecurity in the state. (The Nation)
