The candidate of the All Progressives Congress for the Ukwa East/West Federal Constituency, Chief Samuel Okezie Nwogu, on Thursday, August 27, 2026, joined community leaders, party stakeholders, family members and sympathisers at the funeral service of the late Elder John Ahunanya Achilihu Eche in Obingwu Asa, Ukwa West Local Government Area of Abia State.
Eche, a member of the Umumbi Kindred, was buried amid tributes and expressions of grief from relatives, friends, political associates and members of the community.
Nwogu, who attended the service alongside other APC members and community leaders, described the deceased as a committed member of the community whose contributions and relationships with others would be remembered.
He said, “Today, we are here not as politicians but as brothers, friends and members of one community to honour the memory of our brother, Elder John Ahunanya Achilihu Eche”
“His death is painful, but we are consoled by the life he lived and the people he touched. At a time like this, the most important thing is to stand with the family, comfort them, and remind them that they are not alone” Chief Nwogu Said
“I pray that God will grant the family the strength to bear this irreparable loss and grant the deceased eternal rest.”
The funeral service, conducted by the Seventh-day Adventist Church, Mbano Asa District, Ukwa West, featured a sermon titled “Weep No More,” delivered by Pastor O. H. Okeke, President of the Aba West Conference of the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
Drawing from Psalm 30:5, Okeke urged the bereaved family and congregation to find comfort and hope in God despite the pain of losing a loved one.
The service also provided an opportunity for mourners to reflect on Eche’s life, relationships, and involvement in the community and political activities.
Among the dignitaries who attended were the Abia State representative on the board of the Niger Delta Development Commission, Chief Dr Eruba Dimgba; High Chief Sylvanus Uzoma Nwaji; a former Executive Chairman of Ukwa West LGA, Chief Felix Ebere; former Chief Whip, Hon. Tony Mezie Nwaubani; Abia State APC Treasurer, Chief John Ajuziogu; and former Deputy Chief of Staff to the Office of the Deputy Governor, Chief Don Ubani.
Other political stakeholders, former local government officials, community leaders, APC executives, friends and associates also attended the funeral.
Nwogu further urged members of the community to continue to support the bereaved family, stressing that moments of grief should bring people together irrespective of political differences.
He said, “This is a time for unity, compassion and support. Politics will come and go, but our relationships and humanity remain. We must continue to stand together and ensure that the family feels the warmth and support of the entire community”
The gathering ended with prayers, tributes, goodwill messages, and words of consolation for the bereaved family.
Chief Samuel Okezie Nwogu;
Media Team
28:08:2026
