Wigwe, who died in a helicopter crash in the United States alongside his wife, Chizoba and son, Chizi, was buried on March 9, 2024, after a combined funeral service at the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Lion of Judah Parish, Isiokpo.
Published in sahara reporters
Nigerian netizens on X have berated the country’s Senate President, Godswill Akpabio for his speech during the burial of Herbert Wigwe, the former group chief executive officer (GCEO) of Access Holdings Plc in Rivers State on Saturday.
Wigwe, who died in a helicopter crash in the United States alongside his wife, Chizoba and son, Chizi, was buried on March 9, 2024, after a combined funeral service at the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Lion of Judah Parish, Isiokpo.
Mr. Abimbola Ogunbanjo, the former Group Chairman of the Nigerian Exchange Group Plc was also onboard the ill-fated helicopter.
The Senate President and other dignitaries, including Peter Obi and Aliko Dangote attended the burial ceremony.
In his speech, the Senate President complained that Peter Obi who was a former presidential candidate of the Labour Party was given more honour than him, the number third citizen of the country.
Akpabio also took a jab at Governor Siminalayi Fubara over a comment made by the latter in his speech at the funeral.
The actions of the Senate President have generated negative reactions from Nigerians who described the former Akwa Ibom State as being insensitive towards the feelings and emotions of the bereaved family when he turned the setting into an avenue to play political card.
A user, Bishop 𝕏 wrote: “Misplaced priorities. This is very childish of the Senate President, very very childish. “Peter Obi Received More Applause Than Me”. Said Akpabio At Wigwe’s Funeral. He also made a joke about the dead Wigew’s wife in her coffin. what disrespect. That’s not to add his rebuttal to Sim.”
“Godswill Akpabio is a shameless man. I’ve always known he would be worse than Ahmed Lawan, I never knew it would be in all ramifications. Went to a funeral and be crying that the people didn’t welcome him properly,” another user, @ukocarter said.
“Someone said respected Senate President Akpabio is sometimes behaving so strangely and indisciplined really – everywhere is a gutter. He doesn’t seem to have any decorum and it’s so sad. The comments on Friday and Saturday were ALL needless – it was not a political campaign,” @JosephOnuorah said.
Imoh said, “Within the short time since his election as the head of the Senate, Senate President Godswill Akpabio has made far too many careless utterances that are inappropriate for the president of the Nigerian Senate.
“Worst of all is the classless behaviour at Herbert Wigwe’s funeral, in front of a grieving family that has just lost 3 members of their family at their peak. That was the wrongest place for anyone to throw political jibes, not minding that he’s supposed to be a statesman, and the no3 citizen of this country. Pathetic.”