Senate President Godswill Akpabio and Governor Siminalayi Fubara clashed over politics at the burial of Herbert Wigwe, the former CEO of Access Bank and a banking hero.

The burial ceremony was held at the Redeemed Christian Church of God in Isiokpo, Ikwerre Local Government Area, Rivers State.
The Senate President urged the Rivers governor to end his political career if he believes it is not beneficial.

Akpabio made this statement in reaction to Fubara's remark about the political class who attended Wigwe's burial.

Fubara had previously stated during his remarks at the memorial service, "What is this battle all about? What's the point of wanting to murder and bury? This is a guy; he is not a politician. He made his money on our investments.

"Financially, he controls the entire planet. He has sway over even the political elites. However, despite having all of the financial power, I am unable to govern my life.

“Is it not enough today to ask ourselves why are we struggling? Why are we not making impact in the life of our people? Please, political class, let’s go home with that question, and be answering it in our minds, and reflecting it in what we do.”

Reacting to the governor, Akpabio said if he (Fubara) believed there was nothing to the political struggle, he (Fubara) should withdraw from the acclaimed struggle.

The Senate President said, “We’re not going to cry in one day alone, we’ll cry so many days. When you look at the university, you will cry. When you pass through his personal house and edifice, you will cry. 

“Any of the Access Bank branches worldwide, whether the one in Dubai, or whether the one in Kenya or anywhere, you will cry. The children that he touched, those that he sent to school and the lives he touched, when they are talking about it and they mention his name, you will cry.

"Then you will question yourself, like Governor Fubara did, what the conflict is all about. Your Excellency, Governor Fubara, if there is nothing in the conflict, don't fight."

Akpabio praised Wigwe, saying, "Herbert was an iconic person; he was a people's guy. I feel he was a friend and brother to everyone who encountered him."

Herbert Wigwe, his wife Chizoba, and their son Chizi were put to rest in a private burial at Omueke, Isiokpo, Rivers State, as previously reported.

The funeral follows a week-long sequence of funeral customs commemorating the life of the banking CEO and his family.
Politicians, corporate executives, and mourners from many domains attended the funeral, including friends, acquaintances, and well-wishers from both the local and foreign populations.