Wednesday, May 20, 2015

Chukwumerije As Conscience of the Legislature

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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