Dr Abati, Rufai Oseni slaps Akpabio, Fubara over verbal jabs at Wigwe's funeral

The verbal jabs thrown by Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Governor Siminalayi Fubara at the funeral of the former CEO of Access Bank and banking icon, Herbert Wigwe was condemned by social commentators and Nigerians on various social media platforms.

The incident that clouded the solemn event held on Saturday, March 9 at the Redeemed Christian Church of God in Isiokpo in Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State saw both politicians differ on the struggle for power.

In the now-viral video, Fubara questioned the motives of the political class attending the funeral, expressing frustration over the violence and power struggles.

Speaking at the burial, Fubara said: “This one has to do with our political class, what is all this trouble all about?

“You want to kill, You want to bury, what is it all about.”

In his reaction to the comments by Fubara, Senate President, Godswill Akpabio speaking to the political class who attended the ceremony advised the Rivers Governor to quit politics if he thinks it is not worthwhile.

“What is the struggle all about? I will answer you," Akpabio, while making his remarks.

The actions of both men was also frowned upon by popular Arise TV hosts, Reuben Abati and Rufai Oseni. In their submission on Whats Trending with Ogy on Monday, March 11, they condemned both men for playing politics at an event as sensitive as a funeral.

"Politicians should know where they play their politics. Both for Governor Fubara who was having the innuendo about what are we struggling for, what do you want to kill for, what do you want to die for and also the response by the Senate President, that was not the right place, not the right occasion to settle political scores or to politicized any subject, whatsoever," Dr Abati said.

On his part, Rufai who has been critical of the government said: "It has to be said and I quote, common sense isn't common, secondly, you can not ascribe age to maturity. We think with age maturity should come but it doesn't come. And secondly, emotional intelligence isn't positional, it is based on your disposition."

Recall that the trio of Wigwe, wife, and son died on February 9, 2024, in an unfortunate helicopter crash in California, United States of America.