The Action Peoples Party (APP) has joined millions of Nigerians and music lovers around the world in mourning the passing of legendary highlife musician and folklorist, Chief Mike Ejeagha, fondly remembered as the ‘Gwo Gwo Ngwo’ crooner.
In a press release signed by its National Chairman, Barr. Uche Nnadi, the opposition party expressed deep sorrow over Ejeagha’s death, describing him as “a great music legend” whose legacy contributed immensely to the preservation and global appreciation of Igbo discography and folklore.
“Ejeagha’s life was dedicated to the Nigerian music industry,” Nnadi noted, adding that his blockbuster song ‘Gwo Gwo Ngwo’ resonates strongly with the ideals of the APP.
The party acknowledged that with Ejeagha’s passing, an era that began in the 1960s and gained cultural momentum through the 1980s in Enugu State has come to an end. However, APP stated its commitment to preserving and celebrating the values the late icon stood for.
“As a party, the Action Peoples Party is committed to immortalizing the song while working towards the birth of a new Nigeria beyond his musical exploits,” the statement read.
Referencing the elephant, the party’s symbol, Nnadi said it represents unity, resilience, and the courage to overcome underdevelopment, qualities he believes Ejeagha embodied through his music and cultural advocacy. “We will march on in defending these legacies dear to his heart,” he added.
The APP extended its heartfelt condolences to Ejeagha’s immediate family, the government and people of Enugu State led by Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, and to music lovers across the globe. “We pray the Lord Almighty grant them the fortitude to bear this irreplaceable loss,” the statement concluded.
Mike Ejeagha, known for his storytelling prowess and proverbs-laced lyrics, was a pioneer of Igbo highlife music. His body of work, often infused with wisdom and cultural reflection, remains a cornerstone of indigenous Nigerian music and folklore preservation.
