LAGOS JULY 3RD (URHOBOTODAY)-Members of House of Senate weep uncontrolled during yesterday sitting due to the death of one of their member from Delta Central Senatorial District, Senator Pius Ewherido. Many of them were seen wiping tears from their faces with handkerchief.
Consequently, the Senate could not deliberate on the report of its committee on the proposed amendment to the 1999 Constitution, as amended.
The three-day debate, scheduled to start from Tuesday, was rescheduled for next week as the upper chamber suspended its plenary in honour of the late Senator Pius Ewherido who died last Sunday.
Senate President, David Mark, after a voice vote by other members, announced next week Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday as the new dates for the deliberations.
Meanwhile, the Senate announced that a full special session would be held in honour of the Senator Ewherido.
This was as it constituted a nine-member committee for the burial of the deceased.
The committee, according Senator Mark, would liaise with the family of the deceased to work out the modalities for the burial.
The committee included Senator Suleiman Adokwe (chairman), Senators James Manager, Ifeanyi Okowa, Olusola Adeyeye, Eyinnaya Abaribe, Ita Enang, Gyan Pwajork, Joshua Lidani and Nenadi Usman.
Reflecting the mood of the Senate over the death of Ewherido, the upper chamber sat for only about 20 minutes before adjourning till today (Wednesday).
Senate Leader, Victor Ndoma-Egba moved the motion for adjournment and was seconded by the Minority Leader, Senator George Akume.
“If you notice, there is nothing on the Order Paper. It is deliberate. It was because of one of us, Distinguished Senator Pius Ewherido, who passed on at the National Hospital, Abuja on Sunday.
“Reflecting the mood of the loss, the Senate cannot seat. In keeping with the mood and in line with its tradition, the Senate should adjourn till Wednesday (today), July 3, 2013.
“In the same vein, all debates on the report of the constitution amendment, scheduled to hold today, Wednesday and Thursday, should be shifted to next week,” Ndoma-Egba said.