JONATHAN, MARK, OBI, PDP, OTHERS MOURN UME-EZEOKE

ABUJA - President Goodluck Jonathan, Governor Peter Obi of Anambra State; former president-general of Ohaneze Ndigbo, Dr. Dozie Ikedife and Second Republic lawmaker, Chief Sylvester Nwobu-Alor, yesterday, described the death of Chief Edwin Ume-Ezeoke, former National Chairman of All Nigeria Peoples' Party, ANPP,  as a great loss to the country.

In a statement, President Jonathan said he received news of the death of the former Speaker of the House of Representatives with sadness.

The President asked  members of Ume-Ezeoke family and ANPP to take heart.

Senate President,  David Mark, also described Ume- Ezeoke as a defender of human rights and democracy.

He said Ume-Ezeoke was one of the pillars of our modern democracy who truly laid the foundation of today's National Assembly.

Similarly, Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, said it was shocked by the death of Ume-Ezeoke,  describing  his death as untimely.

PDP National Publicity Secretary, Prof. Rufai Alkali, noted that  the deceased, as a founding member of PDP, played  major role in putting in shaping the party.

Anambra State Governor,  Peter  Obi said: 'Shortly before he travelled to India on medical treatment, he visited me and asked what we were doing and how he could contribute. We had a very useful discussion.

'We shall greatly miss him and his wealth of experience. I join other Nigerians to mourn his passing away. It is another dark moment for Nigeria and Anambra State in particular.'

In separate interviews,  Ikedife and Nwobu-Alor observed that Ume-Ezeoke, contributed immensely to  the growth of democracy, adding that he left a legacy which young politicians should emulate.

Ikedife said Ume-Ezeoke was a principled person who stood on whatever he believed in, which, he noted was lacking in present-day politicians.

Nwobu-Alor who was in Nigeria Peoples Party, NPP, with Ume-Ezeoke in the Second Republic, said he would be remembered for doing what he wanted no matter the circumstance.