Ekwueme collapses at home, admitted in Enugu hospital

Second republic Vice-President, Dr. Alex Ekwueme, has collapsed
and is currently at the Intensive Care Unit of Memfys Hospital for
Neurosurgery, by Penok petrol station in Trans-Ekulu, Enugu
State.

The PUNCH report on Tuesday night that Ekwueme collapsed around
2am last Saturday, at his residence in Independence Layout,
Enugu.

The development comes barely 10 days (October 10) after he
celebrated his 85th birthday.

Family members close to our correspondent said that the former
vice-president went into coma soon after he collapsed.

“He was trying to get something from the table when he suddenly
collapsed and immediately someone raised the alarm, we proceeded to
revive him while cautious enough not to attract neighbours,” a
relative, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said.

He added, “When it became obvious that he had lapsed into coma,
we rushed him to a hospital (unnamed) in GRA (Government Reserved
Area), but we were referred to Memphys Hospital by medical
consultants who had critically examined his condition.”

The source said that the family chose to keep the incident
secret for a while with the hope that Ekwueme would “miraculously”
come out of coma.

“When there was no sign of improvement on Monday afternoon, we
rallied round and informed the former governor of Anambra State,
Mr. Peter Obi, who is like a son, and he has been making plans to
fly him overseas,” the source added.

Medical personnel at Memphys Hospital said that Governor Ifeanyi
Ugwuanyi of Enugu State broke down in tears on seeing Ekwueme at
the Intensive Care Unit on Tuesday evening.

Although the governor’s visit was enshrouded in secrecy so as
not to attract the prying eyes of the media and residents in the
state, it was gathered that he could not hide his emotions as he
wailed uncontrollably.

“My namesake, Ifeanyichukwu, do not leave us now! Even if you
must go, please wait to see your daughter become the deputy
governor of Anambra State before you leave us,” Ugwuanyi was
reported to have wailed at the ICU.

TheNigerialawyer recalls that the governorship candidate of the
Peoples Democratic Party for the November18 poll in Anambra State,
Oseloka Obaze, had presented the first daughter of Ekwueme, Lady
Chidi Onyemelukwe, as his running mate.

Second republic Vice-President, Dr. Alex Ekwueme, has collapsed
and is currently at the Intensive Care Unit of Memfys Hospital for
Neurosurgery, by Penok petrol station in Trans-Ekulu, Enugu
State.

The PUNCH report on Tuesday night that Ekwueme collapsed around
2am last Saturday, at his residence in Independence Layout,
Enugu.

The development comes barely 10 days (October 10) after he
celebrated his 85th birthday.

Family members close to our correspondent said that the former
vice-president went into coma soon after he collapsed.

“He was trying to get something from the table when he suddenly
collapsed and immediately someone raised the alarm, we proceeded to
revive him while cautious enough not to attract neighbours,” a
relative, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said.

He added, “When it became obvious that he had lapsed into coma,
we rushed him to a hospital (unnamed) in GRA (Government Reserved
Area), but we were referred to Memphys Hospital by medical
consultants who had critically examined his condition.”

The source said that the family chose to keep the incident
secret for a while with the hope that Ekwueme would “miraculously”
come out of coma.

“When there was no sign of improvement on Monday afternoon, we
rallied round and informed the former governor of Anambra State,
Mr. Peter Obi, who is like a son, and he has been making plans to
fly him overseas,” the source added.

Medical personnel at Memphys Hospital said that Governor Ifeanyi
Ugwuanyi of Enugu State broke down in tears on seeing Ekwueme at
the Intensive Care Unit on Tuesday evening.

Although the governor’s visit was enshrouded in secrecy so as
not to attract the prying eyes of the media and residents in the
state, it was gathered that he could not hide his emotions as he
wailed uncontrollably.

“My namesake, Ifeanyichukwu, do not leave us now! Even if you
must go, please wait to see your daughter become the deputy
governor of Anambra State before you leave us,” Ugwuanyi was
reported to have wailed at the ICU.

TheNigerialawyer recalls that the governorship candidate of the
Peoples Democratic Party for the November18 poll in Anambra State,
Oseloka Obaze, had presented the first daughter of Ekwueme, Lady
Chidi Onyemelukwe, as his running mate.