Loyalty, Faithfulness on Parade as Abia APC Bid Farewell to Late Former PPPRA Chairman

Emmanuel Ugwu-Nwogo in Umuahia

It was a profuse outpouring of grief and painful sense of loss as the Abia State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) bid last farewell to its late State Organising Secretary, Hon. Obinna Atuonwu.

Atuonwu, who was a former Board Chairman of the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency(PPPRA), was buried yesterday at his country home in Oronta, Nnono Oboro, Ikwuano Local Government.

Abia APC leader and governorship candidate of the party in the 2023 general election, High Chief Ikechi Emenike and other party chieftains paid tributes to late state organising secretary, who answered the last call on April 21, 2024 aged 65.

Emenike who was accompanied by his wife and former Nigeria’s Ambassador to United States, Dr. Uzoma Emenike, described the late Atuonwu as “a loyal and faithful member of APC in general and my political tendency in particular” working tirelessly for the attainment of party goals at all times.

“He was truly committed to APC to the end,” he said, adding that Atuonwu was one of the few Abians to have served the party creditably across regions hence they appreciated him equally well.

The Abia APC leader also noted that the late state organising secretary was so appreciated by the party, which was why Atuonwu was the first person to become the PPPRA Chairman without being a former governor or minister.

In his tribute, the state Chairman of APC, Dr. Kingsley Ononogbu, said that the deceased contributed immensely to the growth of the party, describing him as “the energy station of our executive”.

“With his presence he lights all of us up,” he said, adding that he would be sorely missed by the Abia APC leadership and the entire party members.

The state party leadership stated that Atuonwu was “a sincere party man, who worked assiduously for the expansion and development of the party at all levels of party structure.”

Aside from his commitment to party affairs, Atuonwu who was a Deacon in the Chosen Generation Living Church(CGGLC), Aba, exuded profound love for the things of God and had the gift of ability to resolve conflicts in the party effortlessly.

In his sermon, Pastor Mark Uwaya of the CGLC Aba, said that the late deacon of the church was “a good man, peaceful, loving and caring”.

He extolled Atuonwu’s steadfastness in politics, saying that he never jumped from one political party to another like “political prostitutes” all through his active participation in politics even in the opposition.

The cleric called on people to hear the word of God, and make amends while still alive, have a rethink of their lives and “make amends” as death comes without warning and pucks its target without missing.

The widow of the politician, Dr. Obiageli Atuonwu, in her tribute said that her late husband was a true family man, who showered love, care and support

She said that her late darling husband was “my pillar of strength, my source of joy, my beacon of hope in the darkest of times,” adding that his “presence in my life helped me become the person I am today”.

The late party organising secretary was a community leader in Oruigwe Autonomous Community and holds the chieftaincy title of Eziaha (good name is better than wealth).

He was the Chief Executive Officer of Banner and Sheron Limited and a founding member, and until his demise, a board member of Dawn of Life Foundation, a non-governmental organisation.