Former vice president Alex Ekwueme gives up the ghost in London hospital at the age of 85

FORMER vice president Dr Alex Ekwuene has passed away at a London clinic aged 85 after eventually succumbing to a nagging illness last night that had resulted in him being flown abroad for treatment.

At about 10pm last night, Dr Ekwueme, who served as deputy to President Shehu Shagari during the Second Republic that lasted between 1979 and 1983, finally gave up the ghost. Early this morning, Dr Ekwueme's family issued a statement from his home town Oko, in Anambra State, conforming his demise.

Igwe Laz Ekwueme, the former vice president’s brother and the traditional ruler of Oko, said: “The Ekwueme family regrets to announce the peaceful passing away of their patriarch, the former vice president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Dr Alex Ifeanyichukwu Ekwueme, GCON. The sad event occurred at a London clinic at 10 pm on Sunday, 19 November, 2017.”

Dr Ekwueme was hospitalised at Memfys Neurosurgery Hospital, Enugu, for about two weeks before he was flown abroad for medical treatment on November 12. President Muhammadu Buhari had approved that he be flown out of the country for treatment, with the government covering the expense.

On October 28, Dr Ekwueme was rushed to the hospital after collapsing at his residence in the Independence Layout area of Enugu. He was then in a coma at the time he was admitted to the hospital.

Dr Ekwueme, who celebrated his 85th birthday on October 10, reportedly suffered from a chest infection according to his family members. It is not yet clear yet when his body will be flown back home for burial.