Governor David Nweze Umahi of Ebonyi State has described the death of First Republic Senator, Offia Nwali, as “a great blow” to the state.
Nwali died in mysterious circumstances on Sunday.
He was said to have slipped and fell into a pond behind his house at Ameka Community in Ezza South Local Government area of Ebonyi State.
Umahi, who led members of the State Executive Council to the country home of the deceased at Ameka, Ezza South Local Government Area on Monday, said he had to cut short his visit outside the state “because of the degree of what has happened to Ebonyi State”.
He said: “We are here, first, to sympathize with you because it (his death) is quite tragic.
“We never expected it.
“We never dreamt of it.”
Umahi recalled Nwali’s roles in the creation and unity of Ebonyi State as well as his robust contributions to debates when he served as a senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The governor said: “I recall the invaluable contributions of this great son of Ebonyi State to national development.
“He was a shining star whose robust contributions on the floor of the Senate cannot be forgotten in a hurry.
“He played a pivotal role in the creation of our dear state.
“His death is a great blow to us a state.”
Umahi warned against bickering in the Nwali family, saying: “We will stand against anybody that wants to make trouble because we don’t want a second dead man.”
Umahi assured them that if they put their “house in order, I can assure you that Ebonyi State Government would stand by you”.
He thanked God for preserving Dr. Nwali’s life up till now, adding: “Not many people will weather what he weathered through and still have to put himself together.”
Responding, the first son of the deceased, Emmanuel Nwali, expressed his appreciation on the visit of the governor and assured him that the family would remain peaceful during and after the burial of their father.
Nwali died mysteriously on Sunday at the age of 74.
His body was found in a pond behind his residence.
A close family source said he had gone to inspect his farm, but slipped into pond.
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