LAGOS JULY 3RD (URHOBOTODAY)—Prominet Deltans, have described the sudden death of Chief Pius Ewherido, Senator representing Delta Central senatorial district in the National Assembly as shocking and a monumental loss to the Urhobo ethnic nationality in particular, Delta and Nigeria as a whole.
Those who spoke to the Vanguard include, Mr. Ndudi Elumelu, member representing Aniocha/Oshimili federal constituency; Chief Ovie Omo-Agege, former Secretary to the Delta State Government; Olorogun Taleb Tebite; Olorogun John Oguma; Chief Ighoyota Amori; Mr. Edoja Akpodiete, member representing Ughelli North constituency II on the platform of DPP and the Urhobo Youth Council, UYC.
On his part, Governor Oshiomhole said: “I commiserate with my brother, the Governor of Delta State, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, the government and the people of the State on this unfortunate death. I also condole with the President of the Senate, Senator David Mark and other distinguished Senators on the death of their colleague and friend.
“I pray the Almighty God to grant the family of the late Senator the fortitude to bear this very painful loss. May He also grant the deceased peaceful rest in His bosom.
“My last official interaction with the distinguished Senator was during his visit to Edo State, as a member of the Senate Committee on Education which went round the state to access the state of our schools, and gave a very positive report on their evaluation of our contributions in the education sector.”
Similarly, former Chief Whip of the senate, Senator Rowland Owie, on his part, described the deceased as a very humble person “whose respect for elders and seniors was unprecedented. A few months ago we flew together and on arrival at Abuja airport, Senator Ewherido insisted on taking my brief case. That is the level of his humility. We have missed a star. I pray God Almighty and Blessed Virgin Mary, to grant his soul eternal rest..”
Also, former governorship aspirant of Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Delta State, Mr. Sunny Onuesoke, described the death of Senator Ewherido as incomprehensible and great loss to the Urhobo nation, Delta State and the Niger Delta struggle.
Elumelu in a statement, described Ewherido “as a highly distinguished senator, who has contributed immensely to the development of Delta State through the sponsorship of people oriented bills that had impacted positively on the lives of Deltans and Nigerians in general.”
Omo-Agege said: “We received with rude shock and utmost disbelief, the sudden demise of our brother and compatriot, Senator Ewherido, the distinguished Senator representing Delta Central Senatorial Zone in the National Assembly.
“Our prayers are with the family in grief, the young wife Doye in shock, the young children, the aged mother, the entire Ewherido family and mourning Urhobo nation.”
Ashafa in a statement by his Head of Media and Strategy, Mr. Babatunde Adegunju, said he received the news of the sudden demise of Ewherido with a heavy heart, adding that he still could not believe that the cold hands of death could snatch away such a patriotic citizen.
”Just last week Sunday, Senator Ewherido among other lawmakers at the National Assembly came to Lagos to commemorate with our national leader of Action Congress of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, over the death of his mother. Hearing his untimely death is too shocking to bear.
”Ewherido was a true Nigerian, a soft spoken seasoned professional, an indefatigable soldier of democracy and a committed, magnanimous brother and motivator,” he said.
Taleb Tebite, member representing Ughelli South constituency in the state House of Assembly, said: “The death of Senator Ewherido is very painful and a great loss to us, the people of Ughelli South, Urhobo nation, Delta State and Nigeria as a whole.
“My condolence goes to the wife, Doye, kids, aged mother, siblings and the entire Ewherido family. I also use this opportunity to thank our Governor, Dr. Uduaghan on behalf of the people of Ughelli South for the role he played in trying to save the life of our brother, Senator Ewherido.”
Olorogun John Oguma on his part said: “The news of Ewherido’s death came to me as a rude shock. I pray God to grant the immediate family and the Urhobo nation the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.”
Also, Chief Ighoyota Amori, Senior Political Adviser to the Delta State Governor, said: “The death of Ewherido is a big blow to us and the people of Urhobo nation. I sympatherzise with his family.”
Akpodiete said: “Words are not enough to quantify the loss the death of Senator Ewherido has caused the Urhobo, Deltans and Nigerians as a whole. Ewherido is one politician with a very strong charisma and genuine desire to better the lots of his people.”
On its part, UYC in a statement said: “We received with disbelief, the sad news that our articulate and vibrant representative, Senator Ewherido has gone the way of all mortars at his prime.
“Our prayers are with his wife, young children, the family and the Urhobo people and indeed the government and people of Delta State. His death has robbed us of a dogged fighter and legislator per excellence.”
The group in a statement by its National President and Deputy National President, Mr. Henry Baro and Olorogun Jaro Egbo respectively, said “We also extend our condolences to the President General of the Urhobo Progressive Union, UPU and our royal fathers at this trying period and urge our youths to hold the peace.”
Source: Vanguard