Jonathan, Buhari, Atiku, Ngige, others eulogise Chukwumerije

TRIBUTEs continued to pour in yesterday for late Senator Uche Chukwumerije, who died in Abuja, on Sunday.

The latest came from the President, Goodluck Jonathan, his wife, Patience, President-elect, General Muhammadu Buhari, former Vice President, Abubakar Atiku, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Tambuwal, and a host of others, describing his death as a great loss to the Igbo and Nigeria.

He will be remembered for his passion for a just society — Jonathan

President Goodluck Jonathan and the first lady, Dame Patience Jonathan have extended condolences to the Chukwumerije family as well as the government and people of Abia State on the death of Senator Uche Chukwumerije.

In two separate statements issued by their spokesmen President Jonathan and his wife urged the family to take solace in the fact that Chukwumerije was an ardent believer in national unity, peace, political stability and progress.

“The President joins them in mourning the late patriot and nationalist who has left behind an impressive legacy of discipline, honesty, integrity and hard work in public service.

“President Jonathan believes that the late Senator Chukwumerije, who had a distinguished career as a journalist, social critic, Minister of Information and Senator, will be long remembered for his dedication and passion for a just and equitable society.

In her statement, Dame Patience Jonathan, said: “As a daughter of Abia State, the mother of the Nation, my thoughts are with you and the entire people of Abia at this time of your grief,” she said and praised late Chukwumerije’s dedication, courage and professional conduct as a senator.”

A man of noble values — Buhari

President-elect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari said the demise of Senator Chukwumerije was a blow to the generation of true progressives in Nigeria and the African continent.

In a condolence message released by the APC Presidential Campaign in Abuja, Buhari also described late Chukwumerije as “a man of my own generation, I observed the progressive political activities of Uche Chukwumerije and admired the Pan-African interests and national patriotic zeal which dominated and dictated major part of his actions and pursuits.’’

The president-elect recalled that in the Second Republic, Chukwumerije disregarded ethnic and regional politics of that era to identify with Mallam Aminu Kano, the leader of the masses (Talakawas), saying the development “marked him out as a worker for national unity and a man of noble values.

“As a media practitioner, Chukwumerije was a professional who did his job with passion and conviction in all the positions he held. I was not surprised he was a leading voice in the Senate for 12 years.”

A fine gentleman —Atiku

Former vice-president, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar said “late Senator Chukwumerije was in the class of those gentlemen you cannot but notice. His mannerisms came across as someone who was well cultured. He was very sartorial in style and in presentation; and he never confused you about the disciplined background of his origin. He was a very worthy ambassador of his people.”

Tambuwal expresses shock

On his part, Speaker of the House of Representatives,   Aminu Tambuwal, in a statement by his spokesman, Malam Imam Imam, described the deceased Senator as a fine legislator and a refined gentleman whose passion for the unity and progress of Nigeria wais well-documented.

His death, a loss, says Imo gov

Okorocha, who spoke through his media aide, Mr. Sam Onwuemeodo, said: “The death of one of the illustrious sons of Igboland and one of the outstanding patriotic Nigerians, Senator Uche Chukwumerije at the age of 75, is a great loss, not just to members of his immediate family but to Nigeria in general.”

Ngige mourns

Similarly, former Anambra goveror, Dr Chris Ngige, described the death as shocking.

Ngige said: “Nigeria has indeed lost one of her best. He was a true Igbo nationalist who believed that the spirit of industry, hard work, resilience and adroitness of the Igbo can be put into very good use for their survival in the Federation of Nigeria.

Ikedife, Ekwunife, MASSOB lament

Former President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Dr. Dozie Ikedife, described Chukwumerije as a true Nigerian and Igbo man.

He said the demise of Chukwumerije was the death of an honest, upright, courageous and dogged fighter.

Also, senator-elect for Anambra Central, Mrs. Uche Ekwunife, said the death of the senator was a colossal loss to both the Igbo and Nigeria, saying, “We shall miss his courageous representation.”

Also, the Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra, MASSOB, director of information, Mr. Uchenna Madu, in a statement in Awka, said: “Truly, our late Dike Ogu Ndigbo (Uche Chukwumerije) was another Ojukwu to Ndigbo. He was roundly active during Nigeria-Biafra war. He always stood for justice and equity on the Igbo side.”

He was an astute politician — Saraki

Also, Senator Bukola Saraki said he received the news with shock because ‘’Senator Chukwumerije was an astute and consummate politician of repute. He was one of the current members of the 7th Assembly that I respect so much due to his contributions and dynamics of debate on the floor of the Senate.’’

His experience will be missed — Ohabunwa

To Abia North Senator-elect, Mao Ohabunwa, who will succeed Chukwumerije in the Senate, ‘’it was a shocking news for me when I heard it. We have really lost a statesman and one of the strong voices of Ohanaeze and Ndigbo in general. May his gentle soul rest in the Lord’s bosom.’’ 

A great Iroko has fallen –Okorie

National Chairman and 2015 Presidential Candidate of the United Progressives Party, UPP, Chief Chekwas Okorie, said: ‘’A great Iroko tree in Nigeria has indeed fallen.

“The late Senator Chukwumerije was a man of tremendous integrity and uprightness.”

South-East APC scribes pay tributes

Also publicity secretaries of the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Enugu, Abia, Imo and Anambra states paid glowing tributes to Chukwumerije.

In a joint statement, they said: ‘’The demise of Dr. Chukwumerije is shocking to us, particularly given that we were not aware that he was afflicted with cancer.”