The Abia State Government was on Friday absent at the burial ceremony of Senator Uche Chukwumerije at his Isuochi country home in Umunneochi Local Government Area of the state.
Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State, and his Imo State counterpart, Rochas Okorocha, were among dignitaries that attended the event, where the Abia State Government was not represented by any official.
When contacted on why the state was not represented at the late Senator’s burial, attended by people from all walks of life, Special Adviser to Orji on Political Matters, Chief Ama Abraham, accused Chukwumerije’s sons of failing to carry the state along in the burial arrangements.
He said, “The family refused to carry the state along, which is a serious indictment. Chukwumerije was at the Senate twice and the state government gave him all the support he needed,” wondering why his family members would decide not to consult with the state during his burial.
But another source, which spoke under the condition of anonymity, attributed the state government’s absence to Chukwumerije’s alleged involvement in anti-party activities shortly before his demise.
The source alleged that he late federal lawmaker supported the All Progressive Grand Alliance in the last elections, where his aide contested and won the Abia House of Assembly seat under APGA.
“He partly bankrolled the expenses of APGA during the last elections in the state and if you check in today’s (Friday) edition of a national newspapers, APGA placed an advert, praising him as one of its supporters,” the source said.
The source contested that the late senator “should have instead of hide and seek, openly declared for APGA; after all, PDP is not his first party.”
Speaking at the event, Senate President, David Mark, said Chukwumerije would be greatly missed by his colleagues , describing his death as a big loss to the nation.
He said the presence of about 85 senators at a valedictory session held in his honour in Abuja at a time the Senate rarely had up to 80 members present at plenary, was a testimony of Chukwumerije’s popularity.
In his sermon entitled ‘Judgment’ at the Wesley Cathedral, Ngodo, the Prelate of the Methodist Church of Nigeria, His Eminence, Dr Samuel Uche, said the late senator prepared for death by reconciling with members of his family six days to his death.
He charged everyone, especially politicians, to prepare for God’s judgment.
The Prelate condemned the endemic corruption in the country and urged Nigerians to unite in fighting the menace.
Uche said, “A situation where National Assembly members were paid N300m without projects to show for it, even when civil servants are owed salaries and growing unemployment, was capable of causing revolution in the country if not checked.
“It beats my imagination how a Senator can take home N300m; it’s stealing. You should slash every salary by half, so that we can reduce unemployment in Nigeria.
“We not only have armed robbers, we also have pen robbers at the state and national levels. If you continue like this, one day, there will be a revolution and you will stand before the judgment seat of God.”
Some dignitaries at the burial included the former Vice President Alex Ekwueme and his wife; Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala; Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu; Senate Leader, Ndoma Egba; Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Emeka Ihedioha; and a member of the House, Lawan Farouk.
Others were President General of Ohanaeze, Chief Garry Enwo-Igarriwe; APGA National Chairman, Victor Umeh; APGA governorship candidate in Abia, Dr. Alex Otti; and former Minister of Labour, Emeka Wogu, among others.
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