•Jonathan shocked Senate President, David Mark, yesterday wept over the untimely death of Senator Pius Ewherido, whom he described as a forthright and vibrant parliamentarian.
A statement from the Senate President's media office, said Mark lamented that Ewherido, who until his death represented Delta Central senatorial district under the Democratic Peoples Party, DPP, in the upper legislative chamber, was one of the foremost and hardworking senators in the seventh Senate.
He noted that Ewherido has, within his short but eventful membership of the Senate, displayed patriotism, commitment and has truly distinguished himself as a parliamentarian of a very high standard.
"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," Senator Mark lamented.
The Senate President, the statement added, noted that one of Senator Ewherido's bills on how to address the issue of manslaughter in the land is currently undergoing thorough legislative works, adding that the deceased should have been alive to see his good works aimed at saving mankind.
The Senate, according to Mark, would do the needful to ensure that the immediate family of Ewherido does not suffer.
He told the government and people of Delta State, especially the bereaved family to take solace in the fact that the late Senator lived an accomplished life worthy of emulation.
Senator Mark, who was in Accra, Ghana, for a golf tournament, had on receiving the sad news, cut short his trip and returned home to mourn his departed colleague.
President Goodluck Jonathan has also condoled with the family of the late Senator, who died yesterday at the National Hospital, Abuja.
In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, the President said he received the death of the Senator with shock and sadness.
The statement said; "On behalf of himself and all members of the executive arm of 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."
National Mirror