President-elect, Major-General Muhammadu Buhari (retd), Monday said the demise of Senator Uche Chukwumerije was a diminishing blow to the generation of true progressives in Nigeria and the African continent.
In a condolence message released by the All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Organization in Abuja, the president-elect also described the late Chukwumerije as a Pan-African par excellence.
“As a man of my own generation, I observed the progressive political activities of Uche Chukwumerije and admired the Pan-African interests and national patriotic zeal which dominated and dictated major part of his actions and pursuits”, Buhari said.
Mr. Buhari recalled that in the Second Republic, Chukwumerije disregarded ethnic and regional politics of that era to identify with Mallam Aminu Kano, the leader of the masses (Talakawas), saying that the development “marked him out as a worker for national unity and a man of noble values”.
He added that “As a media practitioner, Chukwumerije was a professional who did his job with passion and conviction in all positions he held. I was not surprised he was a leading voice in the Senate for twelve years, where he had been serving the Federal Republic till death came calling”.
Buhari noted that Comrade Chukwumerije, as he was fondly called by admirers, lived an active life and never sat on the fence on any national issues.
“Senator Chukwumerije has played an exceptional role in the business of legislation in the country and we will all dearly miss him as an outstanding politician and an elder statesman.
“I sincerely condole with his family and friends, especially his constituents in Abia North senatorial district, the people of Abia State and members of the National Assembly”, Buhari said.
