Ekwueme, a founding Chairman of the PDP died on Sunday at a London hospital at the age of 85.
The register was opened at about 3 P.M on Tuesday by the Chairman of the National Caretaker Committee (NCC) of the party, Senator Ahmed Makarfi and other members of the committee.
In his condolence message, Makarfi wrote: “The nation and indeed, Africa has lost a rare gem, a nationalist and peace maker. He was a pillar of democracy and good governance. He was a founding member of our party, the PDP. Adieu our leader! May your gentle soul rest in perfect peace, Amen.”
On his part, National Secretary of the party, Senator Ben Obi described Dr. Ekwueme as pillar of Nigeria’s democracy.
“How are the mighty fallen! The pillar of our democracy has gone, the finest and the most credible political leader has gone. I cannot be the same again. The gentleman who brought great intellectual touch to our politics and sustained our democracy has passed on. Rest in peace of the Lord,” Obi wrote.
For former Anambra State governor, Dr. Chinwoke Mbadinuju, Ekwueme’s death is a sad reminder of the emptiness of life even as he described the passing as shocking.
Mbadinuju who has left PDP for the All Progressives Congress (APC),was Special Assistant to Ekwueme when the latter was elected Nigeria’s Vice President.
“It is with a sense of shock that I received the unfortunate news of the death of my political master and former Vice President, Dr Alex Ifeanyichukwu Ekwueme.
“He was a down-to-earth leader who did his best to develop Nigeria and he inspired me personally to see politics as service to country.
“Though we will miss his elderly guidance, his ideals of honesty, hard work and humility in service will remain a fortitude to us,” he noted.
