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News
Enwerem, Ex-Senate President, Dies At 72


By Sam Akpe, Adetutu Folasade-Koyi and Kemi Yesufu (Abuja)

August 3rd, 2007


He Was A True Democrat – Mark

• Was A Consumate Democrat, Says Etteh

• A Humble, Patient Leader – Senators

Former Senate President, Evan Enwerem, died on Thursday at the age of 72.

Senator Chris Anyanwu confirmed about 7.36 p.m. that he died of respiratory problems at the National Hospital, Abuja, where he had been admitted for a number of days.

Moments after the news broke, tribute began to flow in from all sides for a man whom Anyanwu said was "called ‘Mature’ because of his mature manner in handling issues without any sign of fear. He was always calm and never heat up the system. We will miss him".

Senate President, David Mark, added that "Enwerem was not just an epitome of humility; he dedicated his life for the service of humanity. We cannot forget in a hurry that Enwerem, as President of the Senate in 1999, set the machinery in motion on which the President of the Senate stands. He always stood for the truth, no matter the odds. He was a true democrat.

"We are consoled by the singular reason that Enwerem lived a fulfilled life worthy of emulation. The respect we owe him is to uphold those virtues of humility, service, patriotism, good governance and a democracy guaranteed by rule of law which Enwerem stood for".

House of Representatives Speaker, Patricia Etteh, called him a consummate democrat whose brief tenure as Imo Governor witnessed landmark achievements.

A statement issued by Etteh’s Media Adviser, Funke Egbemode, noted how he exhibited a large heart and maturity in the face of political tribulations, a disposition that should be emulated by politicians and emerging leaders.

It said the National Assembly would miss him and prayed that the Almighty God would give his family the fortitude to bear the loss.

Former Deputy Senate Leader, Jonathan Zwingina, is "saddened and shocked at the news of his passing away" as he "was someone very close to me. My memories of him are dear and cherished. He was a very composed and calm person. He was a victim of circumstance as President of the Senate. He brought maturity to the Senate. He brought respect to the National Assembly. Under his leadership the National Assembly became a new leader of Parliament. We were very friendly.

"History will remember him kindly. History will remember him as someone who played a significant leadership role in the politics of Imo State as Governor. At the Senate, as Senate President, he was caught up in circumstances he could not control. But he was a calm political leader. He was close to his political associates. He was a successful politician".

Former Senate Leader, Dalhatu Tafida, expressed deep shock at the passing away of Enwerem who had the interest of Nigeria at heart.

Said he: "I heard (Enwerem) passed on. Right now, I’m shocked and I think the country has lost a nationalist. He was somebody who worked so very hard for this country. As a Senate President, he was the most humble I have been privileged to work with, as I worked with all Presidents of the Senate till 2007.

"When I was the Chairman of the Rules and Business Committee, there was no way I could work without the support of the Senate President. I want to put it on record that he helped me to succeed. He was instrumental to my being elected as the Rules and Business Chairman and he trusted me so well and helped me".

Tafida also reminisced on the intrigues that led to the ouster of Enwerem as Senate President in 1999.

"When he was being removed, I helped him. The truth is that the man was very good but the fact was that those who wanted to remove him were so overwhelming and we did all we could to help him stay. But it was not to be. He was a good man. Nigeria has lost a good man".

Senate Whip, Kanti Bello (PDP, Katsina), equally expressed shock and surprise over the death. He described Enwerem as a pioneer who had to preside over a National Assembly several years after the Second Republic.

For Senator Danso Sodangi (PDP, Nasarawa), "Enwerem was a great leader. He was very humble and I want to say that he was also a tolerant leader and legislator. He carried everybody along".

In line with Parliamentary tradition, Enwerem’s body would be laid in state at the Senate wing of the National Assembly Complex before burial.

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