By Emma Ogbuehi
Anambra State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship aspirant and the immediate past President and Group CEO of Transcorp Plc, Valentine Ozigbo, has expressed his heartfelt condolences to the family of the former President of the Nigerian Senate, Late Dr Chuba Okadigbo, over the demise of their son, Pharoah Okadigbo.
In a statement on Monday, May 24, 2021, Mr Ozigbo, PDP frontrunner in the Anambra gubernatorial elections, expressed his deep feelings of sadness and grief over the unfortunate motor accident in which Mr Okadigbo lost his life.
“I was deeply saddened by the shocking news of the fatal accident that claimed the life of Pharoah Okadigbo, son of an Anambra icon, the late Dr Chuba Okadigbo on Saturday, May 22, 2021,” Ozigbo wrote.
“An unexpected death of a loved one is one of the most difficult tragedies of life. Pharoah was an energetic young politician with so much promise. He took with him an abundance of hope, talent, and dreams for a better Nigeria.
“We mourn Pharoah’s sad loss. We also pray that the good Lord would comfort the entire Okadigbo family and his friends. They have lost a gem.
“May our Heavenly Father receive the soul of the departed,” Ozigbo prayed.
The late Pharoah Okadigbo was the first son of the former senate president and a fledging politician. He recently joined the Action Democratic Party (ADP).
Dr Chuba Okadigbo, the Oyi of Oyi, was one of Nigeria’s most prolific politicians of his generation. A courageous social crusader, Okadigbo held two doctorate degrees and was an author, philosopher, scholar, and political scientist. After serving as the President of the Nigerian Senate from 1999 to 2003, he joined the opposition All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP). He unsuccessfully ran for vice president as the running mate of General Buhari in 2003.
Dr. Okadigbo died at age 61 in September of 2003 after police released teargas at his campaign rally in Kano.
