Former Imo State governor, Hon. Emeka Ihedioha has taken to his social media to express his sadness over the death of American Civil Rights leader, and Congressman, Rep John Lewis.
Hon. Emeka Ihedioha who joined millions around the world to express sadness on the death of Rep John Lewis, said he admired the late Georgia Rep, as a former parliamentarian. He said:
“Sad to hear about the passing of US legislator John Lewis.
He was a veteran civil rights activist, a living legend and a quintessential congressman. It’s no wonder he was re-elected to 17 terms by his constituents.
With my history as a parliamentarian, and indeed an advocate for quality multiple-term representation, I admired him a great deal, albeit from a continental distance.
It was a great pleasure to have met him last year during the Conference of the Congressional Black Caucus in Washington D.C. commemorating the 400th anniversary of the beginning of institutionalised slavery in America.
John Lewis will be remembered for many things, especially his advocacy for equal rights and justice. The world has lost a veritable political role model whose legacy and impact will live on. Rest In Peace Rep John Lewis,” he added about Rep John Lewis.
Emeka Ihedioha was former Deputy Speaker of Nigeria and the immediate past Governor of Imo State sacked by the Supreme Court, after they ruled that he did not score the highest number of votes in the 2019 Imo State Governorship election.
The death of John Lewis was announced on Friday 17th July 2020, as the Georgian rep was said to have died from pancreatic cancer, at aged 80.
Lewis became an icon of the 1960s civil rights movement through his leadership alongside Martin Luther King Jr. and others in the non-violent protest movement and landmark peace marches of the era.
He was a notable speaker at the 1963 March on Washington and in the consequential 1965 march in his native Alabama depicted in 2014’s “Selma.”
Lewis had announced in December that he had stage 4 pancreatic cancer.