NASS COMMISERATES WITH THE PEOPLE OF ABIA STATE

 The Senate, Monday, dispatched some of its members to Abia State to commiserate with the people over deaths of two of their prominent sons, former Foreign Affairs Minister, Chief Ojo Maduekwe and Senator Onyeka Okoroafo. The Senate delegation led by Senator Biodun Olujimi, and included the three Senators from the state, also expressed support for Governor Okezie Ikpeazu over the political logjam in the state. Senator Olujimi, who expressed the feeling of the Senate President, Senator Bukola Saraki, to Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, said that the Senate was solidly behind him in the face of the crisis in the state. “The authentic and indomitable Governor of Abia State, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu, we are here with the consent of the Senate President and Chairman of the National Assembly, Distinguished Senator, Dr Bukola Saraki, and on behalf of the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, to condole with you and the entire people of Abia State in these trying times. “First, over the political situation in Abia, and over the death of your illustrious sons, Chief Ojo Maduekwe and Senator Onyeka Okoroafo. “The Senate is solidly behind you in these trying times. You have our support as the governor of the state, we are elected to make laws as lawmakers and it is our duty to ensure that our laws are not abused. We are aware of the political situation in Abia, rest assured that the Senate is with you,” Olujimi said. In his remarks, Governor Ikpeazu thanked the Senate for standing by him, the state and the bereaved families, even as he described the death of late Senator Onyekachi Okoroafo and Chief Ojo Maduekwe as personal losses to him. The governor told the visiting Senators that the recent ruling of Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court Abuja was an attack on democracy and Nigerian constitution. “I thank the Distinguished Senate for standing by me and Abians at the time of trials. The death of the Chief Ojo Maduekwe is a personal loss to me. He stood by me through the campaign period and he was a pillar in my administration. He died when the state needed him most.”