Last Tuesday, the House of Representatives held a valedictory session for its former Speaker, the late Chief Edwin Ume-Ezeoke, who died on August 1, 2011. Kolawole Daniel captures the event and reports.The mood in the House ofRepresentatives last Tuesday,when a valedictory session was held in honour of its former Speaker, the late Chief Edwin Ume-Ezeoke, was a mixed one, as both members of the lower chamber and guests wore long faces in solidarity with the family members of the late Speaker. The family members of Chief Ume-Ezeoke were equally at the National Assembly to witness the honour being done to their late breadwinner. Honourable Aminu Tambuwal, who presently leads the House of Representatives, had put together the valedictory session in honour of the late former Speaker.In solidarity with and honour for the late Speaker, the Senate, on the day of the valedictory session, put on hold its plenary session till Tuesday, while President Goodluck Jonathan was not left out, as he sent the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SFG) and former Senate President, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, to represent him in paying his respect for the late former Speaker. He equally described Ume-Ezeoke as an outstanding Nigerian politician and elder statesman.In fact, it was an encomium galore for the late former Speaker as President Jonathan, Senate President, Senator David Mark, Speaker Tambuwal, former Senate President, Joseph Wayas, and other notable Nigerians paid their last respect with glowing words at the valedictory session. In unison, they described the late Speaker as a true nationalist, a true parliamentarian and a political icon worthy of emulation.President Jonathan, in his message, described him as an accomplished politician who would be missed dearly, saying that his statesmanship could be seen in his emergence as the Speaker of the House of Representatives from an opposition party and his emergence as the chairman of the All Nigeria People's Party (ANPP) a year after joining the party. The president said that the deceased would be remembered for the stand he took during the troubled times of the country, adding that his death has left a big vacuum to be filled by upcoming politicians.But the former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Honourable Ghali Umar Na'aba, declared that the late Speaker did not die as a happy man because he was unhappy with the kind of politics of bitterness allegedly being played in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Honourable Na'aba, who spoke on behalf of former speakers of the House of Representatives at the valedictory session, said that Chief Ume-Ezeoke was a man of peace and consensus whose qualities should be emulated. But unfortunately, he said he died an unhappy man.According to him, 'It is the responsibility of the legislature to see to it that democracy survives and is sustained because there is no need for people to die unhappily because ofpolitical frustration. We must conduct ourselves in a manner that promotes politics and democracy and emulate his peaceful nature of consensus.'The representative of the Senate President, Senator Abdul Ningi, who led other senators, while addressing the session, said that in solidarity with the House of Representatives, the Senate had to suspend its plenary session because of what the late Speaker stood for.In his own tribute, former Senate President in the Second Republic, Senator Joseph Wayas, said the late Speaker invested his time in working for the people of Nigeria and described him as a good and honest man. Wayas, who spoke on behalf of former Senate Presidents, noted that Ume-Ezeoke left a lasting legacy for the Nigerian legislature, noting that his death called for a sober reflection, he said, 'he (Ume-Ezeoke) was being honoured, not for being a former Speaker, but for having being a good man'.Honourable Tambuwal, on his part, described him as 'an effective leader and statesmen because of his tremendous ability to bring people of diverse background together, his relentless passion and patriotic zeal, his ability to inspire others and his self-possessed unagitated personality.'One of the late Speaker's attributes as a leader and statesman was his capability to integrate people of diverse political and ideological leanings towards the attainment of natural goal. This explains why he emerged Speaker from opposition party in the Second Republic and remained in office even after the working agreement between National Party of Nigeria (NPN) and Nigeria Peoples Party (NPP) collapsed. Thanks to his sterling leadership qualities, the 'banana peel' was not thrown his path throughout the period he presided over the House of Representatives,' he said.Continuing, Tambuwal further stated that 'his patriotic zeal for Nigeria was severally demonstrated through his lifetime. You will recall that in the run-up to the return of democracy in 1999, he joined other leaders of note to form the PDP. Though he left the party at a time and became the national chairman of the opposition, the ANPP, his desire for political stability and love for Nigeria made him to lead his party into a government of national unity with the administration of late President Umaru Yar'Adua.'While we mourn the loss of this great leader, we must celebrate and, indeed, emulate his sterling qualities which made others gravitate towards him. His spirit of selfless service to the nation must be imbibed by the leaders of our nation.'To the immediate family of the late Speaker, Tambuwal said, 'you should be consoled in the knowledge that he ran a good race here on earth and left an indelible footprint in the sands of time. He left behind a good name which is better than gold and silver. Be consoled that he rests in the bosom of the Almighty'.On his part, the Deputy Speaker, Emeka Ihedioha, said, 'The Rt. Honourable Edwin Ume-Ezeoke was an accomplished political leader who left indelible and remarkable footprints in the nation's political firmament. He had an impressive political career that spanned close to four decades.'He was a successful Speaker who contributed immensely to the relative political stability enjoyed by the nation at the time. He was professional, competent and prudent in the inclusive manner he ran the affairs of the House. He enjoyed the bi-partisan support of his colleagues who held him in very high esteem, in spite of differences in political affiliations.'It is, therefore, hardly surprising that his death has elicited genuine outpouring of emotions across the entire length and breadth of our country. The nation, indeed, has lost a political warrior whose politics was defined by an overriding need to serve the common good,' he stated.Also, the House Leader, Honourable Mulikat Adeola-Akande, described the late politician as an impeccable statesman who stood for the truth thorough his life time, despite all odds. Others who spoke at the session included former Deputy Speaker, Chibudom Nwuche, a member of the House between 1979 and 1983 who spoke on behalf of his colleagues; Honourables Ugba Uye and Chris Azubogu, who represents Ume-Ezeoke's constituency of Nnewi North/Nnewi South/Ekwusigo Federal Constituency of Anambra State in the current House.Honourable John Enoh (PDP, Cross River) spoke on behalf of the South-South caucus in the House, while Emmanuel Jime (PDP, Benue) stood for North-Central caucus, just as Jerry Manwe (PDP, Taraba) represented the North-East caucus, as well as Uche Ekwunife (APGA, Anambra) for the South-East caucus, with Opeyemi Bamidele for the South-West and Abdulrahman Kawu on bahelf of ANPP and the North-West caucus.The valedictory session was equally attended by former Speaker Aminu Bello Masari and his deputy, Austin Opara; former Deputy Speaker Usman Bayero Nafada; former House Leader, Tunde Akogun, as well as former governors of old Anambra State, Chief Jim Nwobodo and Chief Chulwuemeka Ezeife; former Akwa Ibom State governor, Obong Victor Attah, and APGA National Chairman, Chief Victor Umeh.
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