SENATOR IKE EKWEREMADU – THE VOICE OF ENUGU STATE.

SENATOR IKE EKWEREMADU – THE VOICE OF ENUGU STATE.

Ike Ekweremadu is the gentle giant explored by six blind men. His personal makes you respect the different perspectives people have explored or experienced about him. 

To his students, teachers, and colleagues, to those who have read his books or listened to his public lectures, Ekweremadu is an intellectual. To those familiar with the egotism that revolves around the Nigerian power, and despite his long-standing achievements, the intellect is draped in humility. 

To exclusively the beneficiaries of his Ikeoha Scholarship and Bursary Scheme, empowerment programs, widow outreach, youth empowerment scheme, Ikeoha Adult Literacy Scheme, and the beneficiaries of his life-saving free healthcare interventions, Ekweremadu is the man on a mission – to serve his people! 

Those aware of Ekweremadu’s empowerment outreaches and charity schemes were not shocked when a video clip of a woman, holding a bible, summoning divine assistance for him was released, the day he was summoned with the Senate President on false accusations of forgery and conspiracy of Senate Standing Rule. 

The scene depicted the scenes from Bible, “Tabitha’s Return To Life”. The poor, orphans, and widows, virtually persuaded Peter to bring back the generous soul. The distressed population was aware that Tabitha’s passing would spell doom for the people in need. Practically, the scene replicated years later when people came to the street in support of Ekweremadu. 

For those who have shadowed the legislative odyssey of Ekweremadu, he is a reputed lawmaker adorning excellence and justness. In 2011, Senator Zainab Kure recalled Ekweremadu as the “legislative wiz kid” during the 6th Senate Deputy President re-election campaign. 

Since 2003, Ekweremadu has been nominated as a Senator for four years straight. He has also assumed responsibilities as the Enugu State Government Secretary, Chief of Staff at Enugu Government House, Local Government Chairman. In 2015, he was selected as Senate Deputy President three times in a row. The year 2017 marked the 10-year anniversary for Ekweremadu assuming legislative responsibilities as the National Assembly Presiding Officer. The same year he became the longest-serving National Assembly Presiding Officer in the history of the country. 

Remember that African proverb, “A new broom sweeps well, but the old broom knows all the corners” – Ekweremadu is the old broom.

 Ekweremadu has been applying his legislative experience and political expertise to redefine the governance landscape at all levels. The political genius is bearing down to apply all his learnings to better public and national service. For example, the pursuit to amend the 1999 Constitution seemed to bring bad luck to the people until Ekweremadu covered the position in 2007. In that 6th Assembly, Ekweremadu took the helm to help with all three modifications in the Constitution of 1999. The alterations resulted in profound developments to electoral reforms like administrative and financial autonomy for INEC, the specified period for determining election petitions, among other developments.

Today, the recognition for the rise of the opposition as the governing elite substantially traces back to the constitutional modifications that unfettered INEC from the clutches of the presidency. 

For the people of Enugu West Senatorial District, in particular, and for the South Eastern population, in general, Ekweremadu is attributed as a quality legislative representative. His efforts to promote the South East International Airport are amongst countless other feats that are remembered by many. Accounts from his Senatorial District suggest his development ideas, coming to fruition, is a blessing for the generations to come. In numerous events, UI Alumni Association President underscored Ekweremadu’s role in vividly developing education in the region.

Years before Ekweremadu began his quest for public life development, the region depicted a scene from an apocalyptic episode. It was the end of the world for many living in the region. However, years later, with Ekweremadu’s long-standing efforts, the region portrayed a different picture. Ekweremadu’s magical transformational touch geared towards public life development has drawn in scores of appreciations from all levels. 

Ekweremadu’s splendid term as Economic Community of West African States Parliament (ECOWAS) Speaker, highlighted the needs of the people in the sub-region. His words moved the parliament’s, knowing little to nothing about the public interest, consciousness for public betterment. 

Ekweremadu navigated the lengths and breadths of the area, calling in regional and national parliaments, head of states, forging healthy relations, and proactively campaigning power enhancement for Community Parliament. Today, the ECOWAS Parliament is re-casted from a simple talk show to the likeness of a parliament because the great legislative intellect passed through it.  

Even more appealing is that in the political do-or-die backdrop, Ekweremadu epitomizes optimism and confidence that political principles dictating the common good, shared growth, eliminating bitterness and biases is the way to advance as a nation. For instance, before the General Elections of 2015, scores of political analysts anticipated Enugu to face problems. However, Ekweremadu’s goodness shadowed the concerns and illuminated the concept of political wits, a phenomenon clean of power abuse. 

In particular, two problems raised the political temperature in the sub-region during that time. One surrounding the false accounts that Ekweremadu was eyeing the gubernatorial seat. The other, which may be a core component of the former, was the pronouncement to, therefore, separately retire Ekweremadu along with other Enugu State National Assembly members. 

Certainly, in remembrance, the political showdown before the General Elections of 2015, which began somewhere around in the year 2012, was completely preventable. For example, since the country practices democratic rule, everything required for anyone’s retirement was the system’s inclination to decamp and vote out the candidates in fair electoral campaigns.  These instances may have proven to be the real test to check their popularity. Abiding to the way of law, was synonymous with political disgrace on the frontlines of the battle. 

For Ekweremadu, it translated as a political scuffle. You don't run away if someone brings up a fight to your doorstep. Even if you do not like the political war, you need to sustain under the pressure and calamities it brings. It is the fight the God of Heaven and your ancestors will win for you. 

To accentuate Ekweremadu’s principles that the power comes from the Heavens, he subsequently kick-started the re-election campaign. Ekweremadu was seen visiting several churches seeking help from the Heavens. The rest is history. People who remember those times would willingly come to an agreement that the events after the re-election campaign was live were nothing but a miracle.

 

Ekweremadu was enduring immense pressure from associates and supporters to take control and prevent opponents from getting the PDP ticket. Even then, he dictated his actions should encourage forgiveness – he did not approve of the idea of forgiving some while subjecting others punishments. Ekweremadu has a soft heart – not only for his people but opponents too. 

Without a doubt, in addition to the Divine’s grace, Ekweremadu’s principles of living are the sole reason Heavens gets involved, helping him achieve political feats no one ever imagined. The Heavenly interventions may be tied to his recurring Senatorship, and the inconceivable, Ekweremadu assuming responsibilities as Senate Deputy President facing off all the political wits and rifts that came along.  

Ekweremadu’s political branding is solely driven by national interest and the loyalty to serve. His political strategies and plans clamor the real face of federalism, sincerely won over by the fact that federalism is the sure-shot way to a prosperous and united country. 

The political principles upheld by Ekweremadu are not intimidating to anyone. The dislike for discrimination based on race, color, age, ethnicity, among others, is strong – he sees everyone equal and united – a perfect gentleman with an undying urge to commit to public welfare and national interest.

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