Umahi’s 2023 APC Senatorial rival buries husband amid tributes

Princess Ann Nwanyibuife Agom-Eze, who contested the 2023 Ebonyi South Senatorial District ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) against former Governor David Umahi, buried her husband, Prince Samuel Ogbu Agom-Eze, on Friday in Umudomi, Onicha Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.

The Christian funeral was conducted by the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria.

The funeral for Agom-Eze attracted top politicians, clergy and sympathisers from across the country who paid glowing tributes to the deceased.

Prince Agom-Eze was the first son of the late monarch of Igboeze-Onicha, HRH Ezeogo Elder Agom Eze, pioneer chairman of the Ebonyi State Traditional Rulers Council and former Commissioner for Education in the old Imo State.

In an emotion-laden oration, Princess Agom-Eze described her husband as “not just a husband” but “my peace, my comfort and my greatest support.” 

The mother of four said his humility, integrity, strategic insight and intellect were “exceptional,” adding that the pain of his death was “deeply piercing.”

 She, however, took solace in the values, memories and strong family love he left behind.

Governor Francis Nwifuru, represented by his Deputy, Princess Patricia Obila, described the late Prince as an accomplished public servant whose compassion and dedication “have left indelible marks on the lives of many.” He urged the family to draw comfort from the exemplary life he lived.

Among dignitaries present were the Minister of Works, Senator David Umahi; former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim; and Ebonyi State First Lady, Mary-Maudline Uzoamaka Nwifuru.

The APC National Working Committee; National Youth Leader, Dayo Israel Abdullahi; Deputy National Woman Leader, Hajiya Zainab Ibrahim; and Ebonyi State APC Chairman, Stanley Okoro Emegha, also sent condolence messages.

Emegha noted that the late Prince “will continue to be remembered for his humility, integrity, and peaceful nature, as well as the respect he earned across all spheres of life.”

His first daughter, Chinelo Agom-Eze Onwuegbuna, described him as a jovial, loving and dedicated family man who gave his children the right foundation. 

“What I will miss most is being able to call him and we will joke as we used to do. He always made time to listen to our problems. He was quick with a joke and had a nickname for each of us,” she said.

In her homily: “The Worst That Can Happen to a Man,” Rt. Rev.  Uchenna Chigozie, National Desk Coordinator of the Women’s Guild of the Presbyterian Church of Nigeria, urged Christians to be more concerned about eternity than earthly riches. She stressed that “the worst that can happen to anyone is to die in sin, without knowing Christ.”

The burial featured special songs, dances and poetic renditions in honour of the deceased.