President Goodluck Jonathan, Senate President David Mark and Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan of Delta state have condoled the family of Senator Pius Ewherido, representing Delta Central senatorial district who passed away at the National Hospital, Abuja on Sunday.
A statement by Presidential Media Adviser, Reuben Abati stated that the President received with shock and sadness, news of the passing away of the member of the Upper Chamber.
“On behalf of himself and all members of the executive arm of the Federal Government, President Jonathan extends heartfelt condolences to Senator Ewherido’s family, the Senate President, Senator David Mark and all of the late Senator’s colleagues in the upper chamber of the National Assembly.
“The President joins them, members of the Ewherido family and the government and people of Delta State in mourning the distinguished legislator who served commendably as a member and deputy speaker of the Delta State of Assembly before his election as the Senator representing the Delta Central Senatorial District in the 2011 general elections.
“President Jonathan prays that God Almighty will comfort Senator Ewherido’s family, relatives, colleagues in the National Assembly and all the people of his constituency.
“He further prays that God will, in His infinite mercies, grant them the strength and fortitude to bear the painful loss of the very promising politician at the relatively youthful age of 50,” Abati stated.
Also, Senate President David Mark in a statement by his Media Adviser, Kola Ologbondiyan, described the late senator as a forthright and vibrant parliamentarian.
Mark said, “We have lost a true friend and colleague. We lost a vibrant and a very articulate senator. We have lost a patriotic Nigerian who stood to be counted when it mattered”.
In the same vein, Governor Uduaghan on behalf of the government and people of Delta state commiserated with the family at this trying period, parying to God to grant them fortitude to bear the loss.
A statement by the Secretary to the State Government, Ovuozourie S. Macaulay, reads “The death is hereby announced of Senator Akpo Pius Ewherido, Senator representing the Delta Central Senatorial District in the National Assembly. Senator Ewherido died today Sunday, 30th June, 2013 at the National Hospital, Abuja after a brief illness.
“The Government of Delta State wishes to commiserate with and express its deep condolences to the family at this trying moment. Government advises Deltans, particularly members of his Constituency to remain calm.
“We pray that God grants his family, constituents and all of us, the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.”
Born on May 4, 1963, Ewherido, was a member of the Delta State, Nigeria House of Representatives between May 1999 and May 2007 and got elected into the Senate in April 2011 on the Democratic People’s Party (DPP) platform.
An Urohobo, he attended Notre Dame College, Ozoro and Urhobo College, Effurun, Delta State. He later attended the University of Ife where he studied Philosophy.