The lawmaker died yesterday evening at the Turkish Hospital, Abuja. Until his death, he represented Abia North Senatorial District of Abia State in the current Senate.
Senate President Senator David and his deputy Ike Ekweremadu have expressed shock and sadness over his death.
Senator Mark said Nigeria had lost an erudite and extraordinary nationalist.
The Senate president in a press statement issued by his chief press secretary, Paul Mumeh, described Chukwumerije as 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.
According to Mark, Chukwumerije was a shining light and a pathfinder in the upper legislative house.
“We shall miss him. No doubt, he left a vacuum that would be too hard to fill. He was a consummate and passionate Nigerian who believed in the sanctity of the peace and unity of the nation,” the Senate president said.
On his part, Mark’s deputy, Senator Ekweremadu, described the late senator as a fearless politician who fought for the interest of the common man and his people.
He also described him as “a patriot who gave his best towards the peace, unity, and development of Nigeria”.
The statement read in part: “I am most saddened by the news of the passing on of Distinguished Senator Chukwumerije. It is the exit of a lion senator, brother, friend, brave comrade, seasoned journalist, credible mobiliser, social critic, pro-poor politician, and a legislator per excellence.
“Comrade was a highly principled patriot who detested political excesses and injustice of any form to any people. He was a most detribalised Nigerian who believed that every part of the country deserved the respect, opportunities, and rights intrinsic in their membership of the Nigerian commonwealth.
“He loved his people, Ndigbo, and gave his very best towards protecting their interest and working for the development of the region”.
The deputy president of the Senate said Senator Chukwumerije would be sorely missed by the Senate and the entire nation.
He prayed for the peaceful repose of his soul and inner strength for his family and the entire nation to bear the irreparable loss.
Senate spokesman, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, described the deceased as a political giant and one of the nation’s finest legislators.
“The Senate will surely miss his erudite contributions on the floor of the chamber and his painstaking approach to committee work. Chukwumerije was indeed an embodiment of legislative tradition and consummate activist democrat who loved his people passionately,” he said.
Chukwumerije, according to Abaribe, will be remembered for his deep love for Ndigbo, which was manifested in his relentless struggle for the total political and social emancipation of the race over the years.
Also reacting to Chuckwumerije’s death, the PDP national chairman, on behalf of the party’s national executive committee (NEC) and the PDP family nationwide expressed sorrow over his death.
A statement from the party read: “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”.
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