The Governor of Abia State, Theodore Orji, on Wednesday failed to attend the valedictory session in honour of late Senator Uche Chuwkumerije by the Senate.
Chukwumerije died on April 19.
It was gathered that Governor Orji has not paid condolence visit to the family of the former Minister of Information.
Despite this, the governor was also absent at the Senate valedictory session.
The reason behind the absence has been linked to the political differences between them.
Chukwumerije was a major critic of the policy and administration of Orji, which may have cost him his return ticket to the 8th Senate.
Setting the tone for valedictory session, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba described late Chukwumerije as an amiable, articulate, resourceful politician by his disposition to national issues.
Ndoma-Egba said Chukwumerije’s love and passion for the development of the nation was his driving force.
Ndoma-Egba said the death of Chukwumerije and Senator Ahmad Zannah has brought forward a pattern of tragedy that has affected the Senate as it was the fifth death since the commencement of the 7th Senate.
He said: “In September 2006 in the 5th Senate, we lost the Royal Prince of the Caliphate, Senator Maccido, and Senator Sule Ghandi to the ADC plane crash.
“In the 6th Senate, we lost Senators T. U. Wada on March 31, 2010 and Senator Kawo Duku on April 2, 2010, both of them from Gombe State.
“Yet again we have to bid farewell to eternity to Senator Uche Chukwumerije and Senator Ahmad Zannah.
“So, it is my fervent prayer that the Almighty spares this Senate further grief.
“That in His infinite mercy and forgiveness, the Almighty will break this pattern of double tragedies.
“May this institution never again see a joint valedictory service.”
Other lawmakers such as Ahmed Lawan, resenting Yobe State; Abdul Ningi, representing Bauchi State; Nkechi Nwogu, representing Anambra State; Nnenadi Usman, representing Kaduna State, and many others also shared their experiences with the late lawmakers.
Also in his remarks after many senators had spoken, the President of the Senate, David Mark, said it was difficult to express his innermost feelings on the passage of Chukwumerije.
Mark said: “He was an economist, an educationist and a journalist of repute.
“He stood firmly with his beliefs and the welfare of the people.
“He was determined to improve the level of education in this country and he always told me that he wanted to do everything possible to do so because of his old good days when he was in the University of Ibadan.”
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