Senate President, Dr. Bukola Saraki on Sunday described the Deputy Senate President, Chief Ike Ekweremadu as a perfect gentleman and a good example for politicians.
Saraki stated this at Ekweremadu’s country home in Mpu, Aninri Local Government Area of Enugu State during a thanksgiving service by the Deputy Senate President and members of his family.
DAILY POST reports that the event was also attended by Governors Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Dave Umahi and Ifeanyi Okowa of Enugu, Ebonyi and Delta States respectively.
The Senate President, who was accompanied by the Senate minority leader, Godswill Akpabio, Senator Dino Melaye, among others, said Ekweremadu is “a good example for us politicians”.
While noting that the DSP had good thoughts and plans for Nigeria, he declared that “I will continue to work with you for the development of Nigeria”.
Saraki added that considering the impact Ekweremadu had made as well as his quality representation of the Enugu West Senatorial zone, his people would continue to re-elect him as many times as possible.
In his speech, Ekweremadu said he had numerous reasons for which to thank God. He stressed that his emergence as the Deputy Senate President for the third time was purely divine.
He recalled that “about two years ago, nobody could believe that I will be re-elected as a Senator, let alone becoming the Deputy Senate President.
“I went through a tortures primary election that almost divided the PDP in Enugu State but God intervened”.
While describing his position as an act of God, he said when the time came for the inauguration of the Senate, some Senators, who had arrived for the exercise, chose to attend a meeting somewhere first, adding that as soon as quorum was formed, the Senators kicked off the process.
“Let me say that even if we had waited for those who went to the International Conference Centre, nothing would have been changed because it was the will of God”, he stressed.
He maintained that no form of intimidation would deter him from serving Nigerians, noting that “sometimes in November, there was attempt on my life; I’m not scared; I will continue to serve Nigerians without fear; we are committed to serving Nigerians with all fairness and justice where the common man will be happy.”
He thanked his colleagues at the Senate, especially the Senate President, who he said found a partnership in him “to make the Senate a formidable institution”.
Earlier, the ArchBishop of the Enugu Ecclesiastical Province, Anglican Communion, Most Rev. Dr. Emmanuel Chukwuma urged President Muhammadu Buhari to pursue a total and not selective anti-corruption war.
Chukwuma, who observed that impunity in government had reduced for the past six months, stated that the ruling government should fight corruption by living above board.
He told the APC led federal government not to see Ekweremadu as a threat but work with him for the good of the country.
On the detained Biafra activist, Nnamdi Kanu, ArchBishop Chukwuma said “release him to me; I will caution him; he is not a threat to Nigeria; they are only making him popular; if he comes out now and runs for election, he will win.”
He added that “our women are being raped by the Fulani herdsmen; what is the government doing about it?”
The Priest, while describing Senator Ekweremadu as a role model, lambasted other lawmakers from the South-East for not making any tangible impact on the people’s life.
He stressed that many of them never sponsored bills, but rather remained “bench warmers”, who were merely interested in pocketing constituency allowances.
“Ekweremadu is the best Senator we have ever had; so there is nothing wrong if he is re-elected over and over again”, he maintained.
Chukwuma warned governors against reducing the minimum wage, stating that any of them who tried such would be cursed, considering that they (governors), spend more than N18,000 on recharge cards.
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