The Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio has described the Senator for Abia South Senatorial Zone, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe as a man of integrity who loves his people.
Speaking at the 70th birthday ceremony organised by the Abia State Government in honour of Senator Abaribe, the Senate President noted that the former Deputy Governor of Abia can take risks for the sake of his people.
‘Abaribe is a man who can sacrifice. He is a man who loves his people, Ndi Igbo.
He pointed at the Senator saying, “Senator Abaribe, when you signed the bail bond for Nnamdi Kanu, people were shocked and questioned why a Senator would take such risk?
“When I asked you why you did it? You said that you believe strongly that even if he runs away, you can go to prison on his behalf because of what he stands for.
“We are celebrating a man of astute integrity. We are celebrating a man of grace. it is God’s grace that has seen him through,” Akpabio stated.
He commended Abia State Governor, Dr. Alex Otti for celebrating Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe on his 70th birthday, pointing out that Governor Otti’s decision to host Senator Abaribe despite political party differences is a pointer to the fact that he understands politics and have endeared himself to Abia people.
“Governor Alex Otti is like me. He will be generous to the people of Abia State because he is a man who is generous in his heart.
“I want to urge Governor Alex Otti, who has decided to honour you (Abaribe), that you (Otti) are not just honouring him, you are doing good politics, because through Abaribe, you have won the heart of the whole of Abia South Senatorial Zone,” Sen. Akpabio concluded.
In his speech, Governor, Alex Otti congratulated Senator Abaribe on the milestone achieved and described him as a man of courage, fearless and one who is worth being celebrated.
The Governor explained that the celebration of Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe has no political attachment, saying that he is committed to celebrating Abians who are worthy of being celebrated.
“We are here to celebrate a man that is courageous, a man that is selfless, a man that is unafraid to say the truth to power.
“Sometimes, some of us were afraid for him but God preserved his life up till today. It is not because of him, it is grace .
“So, when I’m celebrating people that are worthy of being celebrated, I am not interested in politics, I am not even a regular politician anyway.
He further announced that he would host similar ceremonies for some distinguished Abians including Senator Chris Adighije, Bright Chimezie, Paulson Kalu and posthumous birthday of Jaja Wachukwu among others.
The State Chief Executive, who said that the struggle for Biafra today is all about agitation for Ndigbo to be recognized and giving equal opportunities like others, made it clear that, it is in the heart of an average Igbo man.
“The Biafra fight is not about Nnamdi Kanu. If you read the book that we have just unveiled today, you will understand what the Biafra fight is about. The Biafra of old cannot happen anymore, but the Biafra of the mind.
“We want to be equal citizens, we want to be treated alike and that is a challenge to Sen. Akpabio. So, what we just demand is equal opportunity, that is all,” the Governor stressed.
Expressing his feelings, the Celebrant, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe while thanking God for His uncommon grace upon his life, said that his frankness was a product of the virtues inculcated in him by his late father.
Earlier in a sermon, the Abia North Central Conference President of the Seventh-Day Adventist Church, Pastor Chimezie Iheoma noted that the celebrant, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe has remained politically relevant for many years counting due to his exceptional services to the State and Nation at large.
The event which attracted many dignitaries from all walks of life featured presentation of a book titled “Unbundled” written by Senator Abaribe and cutting of birthday cake.
