By Jonathan Ugbal and Efa Sunday: Government House Correspondent
The remains of late federal legislator, Mr. Paul Adah were on Saturday laid to rest amidst tears, emotions and eulogies from family, friends, associates and allies in his native Betukwel community of Obudu local government area.
Mr. Adah who served as a member of the House of Representatives representing Obudu/Obanliku/Bekwarra federal constituency is said to have been a jolly good fellow. And, before his remains were committed to mother earth, political bigwigs in the State whom were at loggerheads a few weeks ago put aside their differences to eulogise the former lawmaker and guber aspirant.
Cross River Governor, Senator Ben Ayade who defeated Mr. Adah in the senatorial primaries of the People’s Democratic Party enroute to his victory at the main polls which made him a member of the 7th assembly, described the erstwhile legislator as, “very sincere, a committed friend and an addicted giver, whose philanthropic lifestyle cannot be overemphasized.”
Narrating his personal experience with the late Adah, Ayade stated that,”he was committed to the growth and development of his State and of course his constituency. He is always ready to give and listen to everyone. He (Adah) once told me that though he is contesting against me for the Governorship election, he will however want each of us to work together if eventually one of us wins the race. And we have been working together ever since.”
He continued: “I say shame unto death, because if death knows who to pick, it will pick a man that is prepared. You don’t pick a man who is fifty-eight, whose life is just about to start.
“Death is blind, that is why it is insensitive. Death itself has no conscience, and this is for the last time, because death too will die one day.”
The presidential candidate of the Social Democratic Party in the 2019 general elections, Mr. Donald Duke on his part, described Late Adag as “one of the best” lawmakers the State ever produced.
He added: “Paul Adah was not the proverbial carry-go kind of man and politician. He was constantly interfacing with his people and his state. When Bakassi was to be ceded, he showed concern, though he wasn’t the representative for that area and constituency.”
The Guber candidate of the All Progressives Congress and Chairman, Senate Committee on Finance, John Owan-Enoh also hailed Mr. Adah’s virtues and lamented that he will be sorely missed.
Several others including former Governor Clement Ebri; former Deputy Governor, Efiok Cobham; Niger Delta Affairs Minister, Usani Usani and Senator-elect for Cross River central senatorial district, Mr. Sandy Onor among others, were in attendance.
They urged the family to accept the irredeemable lose in good faith while also praying that his soul will be granted eternal rest.
Mr. Adah died on February 2, 2019 at age 58.
His death forced the campaign councils of the People’s Democratic Party and the All Progressives Congress to suspend their campaigns.
As his remains began the final journey home last week, so many tributes were written by past associates and friends.
And, Mountain Cinema Nigeria, an entertainment outfit in a statement to CrossRiverWatch described Mr. Adah’s passing as “a devastating blow and an irredeemable loss to all.”
The statement signed by the Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Francis Akpeke and dated March 16, 2019 also said the late lawmaker was “a committed and dedicated civil servant, who had served the state as Head of Local Government Administration (HOLGA), and was also an astute politician.”
The statement also urged his family to be consoled in the fact that he lived a good life and pray that his soul be granted eternal rest.
Below are images from the funeral…
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