SEN. EWHERIDO: AN UNSPEAKABLE TRAGEDY

I received with great pain and shock the news of the death of Senator Pius Akpor Ewherido on 30th June 2013 at the National Assembly hospital, Abuja.

Senator Ewherido was the quintessential legislator, cerebral, insightful, clear in language and thought, had the courage of his convictions and had an excellent grasp of legislative practice drawing from his experience as speaker of the Delta State House of Assembly and natural endowments.

Only recently, Catholic Senators met with Catholic Bishops of Nigeria and his characteristic courage and candour questioned doctrinal positions of the church which in his view impaired the faith. He was not one who feared to state his position on any issue and his positions were clear and well thought-out.

His death, coming just when the Senate was about to start her debate on constitutional amendment, and at the age of just 50 years when his life was about to start, is an unspeakable tragedy.

We will miss his erudition and depth, his conviviality and his ever present smile.

We share this moment of grief with his very young family, his constituency, the Government and people of Delta State and indeed Nigerians yearning for the elevation of governance and a virile legislature. A strong voice has been lost and his sun has dimmed at noon.

Being a short tribute by Senate Leader, Victor Ndoma-Egba to the late Senator Ewherido Akpor Pius