There was a mild drama as Rivers Governor, Siminalayi Fubara and Senate President Godswill Akpabio exchanged hot words during the burial of the late Access Bank Chief Executive Officer, Herbert Wigwe.
Wigwe, his wife, Chizoba and son Chizi were buried in his Omueke hometown in Isiokpo, Rivers State on Saturday.
The burial followed after the funeral service at the Redeemed Christian Church of God in Isiokpo in Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State.
In a now-viral video shared on Twitter, Fubara was seen saying; “
“This one has to do with our political class, what is all these trouble all about.
“You want to kill, You want to bury, what is it all about.”
During the burial of Herbert Wigwe, Governor Fubara and Senate President, Godswill Akpabio went head to head 🥶 pic.twitter.com/B4AjjaW0Qe
— Journalist KC (@kc_journalist) March 9, 2024
Akpabio on his part replied: “What is the struggle all about? I will answer you.
“The struggle, we are not talking politics. In 2006 I wanted to be a Deputy Governor, so the then deputy Governor invited me and told me that this office has no money, there is nothing in it. I don’t know why you still insist on moving me from here and take me over.
“So the woman who went with me, said ‘your excellency, then don’t wait for impeachment, just resign since there’s nothing in it’.
“And he stood up and started punching the woman, and I told him, Your Excellency, don’t punch her, she’s telling the truth. There’s nothing in the office that’s why I want it because you’re too big for it.
“So Your Excellency Governor Fubara, if there’s nothing in the struggle, don’t struggle.”
Meanwhile, during the events leading to their burial, several friends, captains of industry, family members, and associates paid tributes to the late banking guru and his wife and son.
Leading the tributes at an event in Lagos on Monday, a tearful Aliko Dangote described Wigwe as his brother and friend.
“He was a pillar of support to me, and my family,” an emotional Dangote told the gathering in Lagos in a speech in which he renamed the road leading to the Dangote Refinery after Wigwe.
For Vice President Kashim Shettima, who represented President Bola Tinubu at the event, Wigwe was a beacon of hope that left at an odd time.
“Herbert left us in winter before the season of bloom. Spring was just about to arrive at his last location, the United States when the Lord called for him,” Shettima said.
The VP also noted the late Wigwe was an early bloomer who transformed the Nigerian banking industry, recalling his visionary leadership and unwavering dedication to his community.
