Former Lagos state governor Bola Ahmed Tinubu has alleged that Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) did not allow the late Alex Ekwueme play his rightful role in the party.
Speaking on Monday, the national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) recalled the role played by Ekwueme in confronting the military regime and how he contributed to the formation of the PDP.
Tinubu said: “He (Ekwueme) was genuinely concerned about bringing about a better Nigeria. His time and energy were geared towards nationalistic issues. He was always at the forefront of efforts to resolve problems. His deep intellectual interventions often helped the country navigate through critical periods and troubled times.
“Those of us who cherish democracy and those of us who celebrate the end of military rule in Nigeria must never forget that it was this soft-spoken man who mobilized the group of 34 eminent Nigerians that would put at risk their very lives and livelihoods to confront the oppressive Abacha dictatorship.
“The G.34 would later form the basis of the Peoples Democratic Party and Dr. Ekwueme was the founding Chairman of that party. I do not intend to delve into partisanship on this occasion but suffice it to say that had Dr. Ekwueme been allowed to play his proper and rightful role in the party he helped create, Nigeria would be a better place.”
