By Nuel Suji, Abuja.
The Senator representing Abia North Senatorial District, Sen, Uche Chukwumerije, is dead.
Chukwumerije died on Sunday in Abuja at the age of 75.
A statement by a family representative, Chidi, confirmed the death, stating that the Senator died after a protracted battle with lung cancer.
According to the statement, “On the evening of Sunday, the 19th of April, 2015, surrounded by his family, Comrade Uche Chukwumerije passed into the open arms of history, and of our Lord Jesus Christ, after a long but gallant battle with lung cancer.
“His life is many volumes, which can only be told with care and time, of dedication and focus, integrity and discipline, and an unbroken love for the highest ideals of our shared humanity.
“Details of burial arrangements will be announced in due course. We ask only for your prayers and good wishes.”
A third term cognate senator, Chukwumerije was first elected to the Senate in 2003 on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
In 2007, he returned to the senate on the platform of the Progressive People’s Alliance (PPA) having defected to PPA on the advice of the founder of that party and then governor of Abia state Orji Uzor Kalu.
Until his death on Sunday, Chukwumerije was the chairman, senate committee on education where he had served meritoriously.
