Obiano mourns Iwuanyanwu, Ubah, Onwenu

Former Governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano, has expressed grief over the demise, last week, of two prominent politicians and an entertainer from the South East geopolitical zone of Nigeria, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, Senator Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah and Onyeka Onwenu.

While Iwuanyanwu hailed from Imo State, Ubah and Onwenu were from Anambra.

In a statement, the former governor stressed the importance of the trio in the political development of the South East and the country in general.

Iwuanyanwu was, until his death on July 25, 2024, the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, while Ubah was representing Anambra South in the red chamber of the National Assembly until his passing on July 27. The senator, who was the Chief Executive Officer of Capital Oil, had his eyes on Anambra governorship seat in 2025.

But Onwenu, dubbed the “Elegant Stallion” due to her significant impact on African culture and entertainment, was a singer/songwriter, actress, human rights and social activist, journalist, politician and former X Factor series judge. She died of heart attack at the age of 72 after performing ata private party in Lagos.

While eulogising the trio for their contribution to national development, Obiano lamented that Iwuanyanwu left the country when his leadership potential was needed to address the socio-political crisis in the South East and the country at large.

He added that Ubah died when his state, Anambra, needed his leadership qualities to drive the state to a new level of human and infrastructural development.

Obiano expressed shock that the lady of songs passed on after entertaining guests at a party without even showing any sign of ill-health.

“Chief Emmanuel Chukwuemeka Iwuanyanwu, the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, who aspired thrice to lead the country, died when he was about to unwrap his envious plan for Ndigbo through Ohanaeze platform. Even, the present administration at the federal level also was expecting his fatherly advice to address some of the challenges facing the country.

“Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah was in the Senate representing Anambra South. He was aspiring to lead our state, Anambra, through the next governorship election next year. A young man in his prime, his lofty plans for Anambra have been lost. The most shocking is the death of Onyeka Onwenu. Who could have thought that the mother of two, who was brimming with life at a party on Tuesday, would be without life in the evening of the same day? Her death shows the nothingness of life and the need for us to be prepared always.” he stated.

Obiano prayed for the repose of the souls of Iwuanyanwu, Ubah and Onwenu, asking God to rest their souls and grant those they left behind the fortitude to bear the loss.

He added, “May their souls rest in peace, and may God give their bereaved families and friends the fortitude to bear the losses.”