Sen. Ben Obi (left), Sen Pius Anyim & Sen. Chukwumerije |
Besides
Senator Chukwumerije’s primary commitment to the concerns of Abia North
Senatorial district, the major areas of his public interest were strengthening
of Nigeria’s democracy, the sanctity of human rights, and socialization of
wealth, especially with regards to penury of workers and plight of the
unemployed. In fact, it is on record that most of the over sixty-five motions,
contributions to debates, and bills sponsored or co-sponsored by him, dwelt on
these themes.
Little
wonder his commitment to the sanctity of democracy prompted his gallant fight
against former President Obasanjo’s third term plan, his single-handed battles
against declarations of state of emergency in Anambra, and Plateau States. In
fact, the fight against Obasanjo’s tenure elongation, led to the formation of
the semi-ideological platform, the 2007 Movement, aimed at mobilizing Senators
against the former President’s elongation scheme.
It
was Senator Chukwumerije’s passionate concern for the voiceless that inspired
his bills an
Act to provide for Regulation of Residential Tenancy and
Protection of Property and other grey areas of asymmetrical production pattern
such as activities of monopoly capitalists.
Senator
Chukwumerije’s indignation against abuse of human rights inspired his motion on
the plight of Nigerians in Indonesian Prison, his anti-torture commission bill,
and disability rights commission bill. As chairman Senate Committee on
Education, he tackled head-on, the challenges of indiscipline and anarchy in
Nigeria’s education system, initiating two bills in this regard- Education
Minimum Standards Bill, and Polytechnic Act Amendment Bill.
As
a member of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Chukwumerije
served as a member in 11 committees, as a Vice-Chairman of Power and Steel
Committee, and as the Chairman of two Committees- Inter-Parliamentary and
Education.
As
a man endowed with immense leadership qualities, Senator Chukwumerije took the
initiative to establish lobby/unity platforms designed to foster unity of
purpose and action among Abia and South Eastern Federal legislators- Forum of
Abia Legislators, Forum of South East Senators and South East Economic
Platform.
Senator
Chukwumerije’s positive impact on the performance of the Senate as a major
pillar of the nation’s political and constitutional stability was often felt in
executive sessions, away from public view. He was no doubt, a stabilizing voice
in the Senate.
On
several issues when tempers flared and party loyalties took upper hand in
colleagues’ reasoning, Chukwumerije’s mature admonitions from the nation’s
turbulent past history sounded effective note of caution and helped to raise
the vision of Senators to the larger picture of national unity and the critical
role of the Senate in sustaining the positive direction of the evolution
towards this goal.
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