Ekweremadu Recounts Kidnapping Experience At 60th Birthday

Former Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, says God’s faithfulness in keeping his covenant with him in the early part of his life accounts for whatever success he has achieved in life.

Ekweremadu, who recounted that he came from a highly challenging part of Enugu State, said that as a young man, he asked God to lift him so he would be able to lift his people and the people of Enugu State.

He also narrated how he was kidnapped 22 years ago, and days after, his abductors gave him N1,500 to transport back home.

The lawmaker revealed this during a thanksgiving service to mark his 60th birthday at the Cathedral Church of the Good Shepherded, Anglican Communion Enugu.

He said “I had a covenant with God early in life. I asked God for his mercy and favour so I could lift others up. I prayed God to give me an opportunity to be able to transform the society and assured Him that if he did that for me, as a testimony and a constant reminder, I would build a church for Him.

“When His Lordship, the Bishop, spoke about some of my travails, he didn’t remember to say that I was kidnapped in the year 2000 at Onu Asata in Enugu metropolis and was taken to Anambra State. I went to one bush with the kidnappers and passed the night with them.

“The next day, I was taken to Benue State from there. We later returned to Nsukka and just by the single grace of God, they let me go and gave me N1,500 for my transport.

“Not many people can be that lucky. So, I thanked God and trust him. Today, by the grace of God, I am seeking the Office of the Governor of Enugu State. The idea is to create a completely new Enugu State where good governance will be showcased.

“We intend to deal with the issues of unemployment, which is affecting our society and creating the opportunity for crimes to thrive.”

He added, “So, this 60th anniversary is 60 years of thanksgiving. It is about 60 years of grace and God’s favour.”

Earlier in a homily, Archbishop of Enugu Ecclesiastical Province, Anglican Communion, Bishop Emmanuel Chukwuma extoled Ekweremadu’s contributions to the development of Enugu State and Nigeria, describing him as the best Senator in Enugu State.

He said that by his personal fact check, Ekweremadu remained an outstanding legislator in Nigeria and the best in the history of Enugu State.

Chukwuma, however, said he would not endorse him for governorship instead let the will of God be done in his aspiration.