Prof Ben Nwabueze’s death, a rude shock, Atiku laments

By Lateef Ibrahim, Abuja

Former Vice President and presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar has described the death of constitutional Lawyer, Prof Ben Nwabueze as a rude shock.
Atiku, in a statement from Media office yesterday in Abuja, described Nwabueze as a fine scholar who carried himself with excellence and had an avuncular mien.
The intellectual acumen of Professor Nwabueze, Atiku noted with pride, has added appreciable benefits to the growth of constitutionalism not just in Nigeria, but globally.
The former Vice President, in the statement said, “The news of the passing of Professor Ben Nwabueze, comes across as a rude shock.
“Needless to say that Professor Nwabueze and I shared a bond that was refreshing.
“He was a fine scholar who carried himself with excellence and had an avuncular mien.
“Through the enterprise of his intellectual acumen, Professor Nwabueze has added appreciable benefits to the growth of constitutionalism not just in Nigeria, but globally.
“I fondly recall my encounter with him in 2018 at his country home in Enugu State, where he reminded me of the unfinished Nigerian project.
“I also owed him a deep sense of appreciation for turning up in appearance with the legal team that represented my interest in the litigation arising from the 2019 presidential election.
“I feel proud to describe the late Professor Ben Nwabueze as my kindred spirit.
“On behalf of my family and team, I express my condolences and adulations to his immediate family and also the people and government of Enugu State for the loss of their patriarch, and gifting the country with such a resourceful mind.
“It is my prayer that his adorable soul rests in eternal peace”, he said.