By Martin Paul, Ezrel Tabiowo and Samuel Ogidan, Abuja
Chairman, Senate Committee on Education, Senator Uche Chukwumerije, has died aged 75.
Chukwumerije, who died yesterday, was elected a Senator in April 2003, representing Abia North Senatorial District.
He was elected to the Senate on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the Fourth Republic, but fell out with the party’s leadership when he opposed the third term agenda, and subsequently defected to the PPA in 2006, and was re-elected to the Senate on April 28, 2007.
Blueprint recalls that in December, last year, the rumour of his death went viral with the politician coming out days later to describe the rumour as “the handiwork of a few ungodly and irresponsible individuals.”
Chukwumerije, who studied economics at the University of Ibadan, was divorced with seven children.
He also served as Minister of Information in the later days of the military regime of Ibrahim Babangida.
Meanwhile, the Senate was yesterday thrown into another round of mourning following the death of one of its serving members, Senator Uche Chukwumerijie.
President of the Senate, David Mark, who expressed shock and Sadness over his demise, stated that Nigeria has lost an erudite and extra-ordinary nationalist.
Mark, in a statement issued in Abuja by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Paul Mumeh, lamented that Chukwumerije was one of the brightest and fertile minds in the Senate.
“He radiated intelligence, exemplary conduct in both public and private life. He was a team player who brought meaning to hard work. He was focused and determined to make positive difference,” he said.
In the Senate, Mark noted that Chukwumerije was a shining light and a pathfinder.
“We shall miss him. No doubt he left a vacuum that would too hard to fill.
He was a consummate and passionate Nigerian who believed in the sanctity of the peace and unity of the nation.”
Also, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and its members across the country yesterday expressed sadness over the death of Senator Uche Chukwumerije.
The party, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Olisa Metuh, said: “We are indeed deeply saddened by the loss of this great Nigerian, a highly respected statesman, who has made immense contributions to the development of our dear nation.
“Senator Chukuwumerije lived a patriotic Nigerian and a brilliant lawmaker, who gave his all and discharged his responsibilities with unequalled forthrightness, loyalty and commitment to the service of our dear fatherland.
“He was a democratic icon and an outstanding party-man who remained committed to the ideology of the PDP and the visions of the founding fathers. We will greatly miss him. Our hearts and thoughts go out to his family as we pray God to give them the fortitude to bear this great loss.”