A heated exchange between Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Governor Siminalayi Fubara of Rivers State marred the funeral of the late banking mogul, Herbert Wigwe, on Saturday.
A video of the incident, which has gone viral on social media platform X, showed Fubara lashing out at the political class for their violent and selfish ambitions.
“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,” Fubara said in his speech at the burial.
Akpabio, who was also present at the funeral, responded to Fubara’s remarks by challenging him to quit politics if he found it meaningless.
“What is the struggle all about? I will answer you.
The struggle, we are not talking politics. In 2006 I wanted to be a deputy governor, so the then-deputy governor invited me and told me that this office has no money, there is nothing in it. I don’t know why you still insist on removing me from here and taking over.
“So the woman who went with me said ‘Your Excellency, then don’t wait for impeachment, just resign since there’s nothing in it.
“And he stood up and started punching the woman, and I told him, Your Excellency, don’t punch her, she’s telling the truth. There’s nothing in the office that’s why I want it, because you’re too big for it.
“So your Excellency Governor Fubara, if there’s nothing in the struggle, don’t struggle,” Akpabio said in his speech.
The funeral of Wigwe, who was the former CEO of Access Bank and a renowned banker, took place at the Redeemed Christian Church of God in Isiokpo, Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State on Friday.
Wigwe, his wife, and his son died in a tragic helicopter crash in California, USA, on February 9, 2024.
