Another Milestone for Senator Ike Ekweremadu
By Amah Baldwin
Since 1997 when Ike Ekweremadu came to the limelight as the Chairman, Aninri Local Government Council, his story has been that of accomplishments.
Throughout his political career, it has been giant strides, while stories about him are told in superlative terms.
A peep into his rich profile indicates that
the grace of God is trailing Ekweremadu. Nobody achieves greatness without His grace.
So, the history of Senator Ike Ekweremadu is a providential reality.
Once again he is moving to Jordan for yet another international assignment.
A brief excursion into his political career indicates that Ekweremadu high point came in 2015 when against all odds he was elected the Deputy President of the Senate and the Speaker of the Parliament of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
One of his aides, Alex Ogbonnia insists
Senator Ekweremadu attained the enviable heights and successes through a combination of dint of hardwork, vision, passion, courage, intellect, humility, sagacity, perseverance, godliness and character.
For Ogbonnia, "It is the consistent application of the above set of variables that incubates grace which is the summary of virtues."
In 1999, the just elected Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Chimaroke Nnamani found him worthy and appointed the Mpu born politician the Chief of Staff, Government House.
Subsequently, he was elevated to the exalted office of the Secretary to the Government of Enugu State.
Again, Ogbonnia posited that the man of the moment discharged his duties in those offices "with remarkable skill, exceptional diligence, elegance and panache.
"He demonstrated an extraordinary acumen in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles."
Thereafter, in 2003, Ekweremadu was elected a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to represent Enugu West Senatorial District on the platform of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
In 2007, 2011, 2015, 2019, he was reelected, making him one of the longest serving parliamentarians in Nigeria. What a feat!
To crown it all, he was elected the Deputy President of the Senate in 2007 and also in 2011. He was also elected the First Deputy Speaker, ECOWAS Parliament in 2007 and Honourable Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament in 2011.
The young man has several bills and motions to his credit and as the Chairman of the Senate Ad-hoc Committee on the 1999 Constitution Review, Senator Ekweremadu performed so well, such that Nigerians acknowledged and appreciated him.
Today, this workaholic public officer and accomplished administrator is flying to the Middle East as part of a team of international observers for the parliamentary election in Jordan.
The trip is on the invitation of the Independent Election Commission of the Middle East nation.
A press release by Uche Anichukwu Media Adviser to Senator Ike Ekweremadu says
the election management body predicated Ekweremadu’s invitation on his vast experience and extensive work in the area of electoral reforms.
Anichukwu wrote: “On behalf of the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) of the Kingdom of Jordan, allow me to welcome you to Jordanian Parliamentary Election 2020.
“On Tuesday, November 10, 2020, Jordanian voters will head to their ballot stations to choose under the Election Law 2016 that introduces an open proportional representation system to elect 130 deputies, who will sit in 19th Parliament.
“To ensure that the election is credible, honest, and transparent, IEC is welcoming the support of all people and all partners, including election observers.
“While IEC is the only body legally empowered to monitor elections in Jordan, the IEC encourages and invites participation by national and international observers to assess the electoral process according to international standards”.
Anichukwu recalled that Ekweremadu, who chaired the constitutional amendment efforts that resulted in far-reaching reform of Nigeria’s electoral system, has since accepted the invitation, describing it as an opportunity to understudy Jordanian’s version of proportional representation, an electoral system he has strongly canvassed as best model to ensure adequate representation of the youth, women, and the physically challenged, among other under-represented groups in the legislature.
He also said the lawmaker, who was also recently appointed as Chief Coordinator for Africa by the International Parliamentary Congress, IPC, stated that electoral reform was "an ongoing process and every experience counts."
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