Second Republic Vice-President, Dr. Alex Ifeanyichukwu Ekwueme, is on the danger list after collapsing at his Enugu residence, a report this morning by The PUNCH said. The elder statesman who turned 85 ten days ago “collapsed around 2am last Saturday, at his residence in Independence Layout, Enugu,” the report said. It disclosed that the revered political veteran “is currently at the Intensive Care Unit of Memfys Hospital for Neurosurgery, by Penok petrol station in Trans-Ekulu, Enugu State,”

On how the incident happened, the report quoted an unnamed relative as saying: “He was trying to get something from the table when he suddenly collapsed and immediately someone raised the alarm, we proceeded to revive him while cautious enough not to attract neighbours.

“When it became obvious that he had lapsed into coma, we rushed him to a hospital (unnamed) in GRA (Government Reserved Area), but we were referred to Memphys Hospital by medical consultants who had critically examined his condition.”

The source said that the family chose to keep the incident secret for a while with the hope that Ekwueme would “miraculously” come out of coma, according to The PUNCH.

“When there was no sign of improvement on Monday afternoon, we rallied round and informed the former governor of Anambra State, Mr. Peter Obi, who is like a son, and he has been making plans to fly him overseas,” the source reportedly added.

The report quoted medical personnel at Memphys Hospital as saying that Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State broke down in tears on seeing Ekwueme at the Intensive Care Unit on Tuesday evening.