Delta Assembly holds valedictory session for deceased Majority Leader — Tim Owhefere

The  Delta House of Assembly has held a valedictory session in Asaba for its deceased member and Majority Leader, Mr Tim Owhefere.

His friends, family members, constituents from Isoko North State Constituency, current and former colleagues, poured encomiums on the deceased lawmaker during the valedictory session.

The session held at the chambers of the Assembly, was also attended by some principal officers of the Edo House of Assembly led by the Speaker, Mr Marcus Onobun.

Presiding, the Speaker of the Delta assembly, Chief Sheriff Oborevwori, described the late Owhefere as a stickler for sound parliamentary rules, practice and procedures.

“My colleagues, this is a sober moment for me and I guess it is for everyone in this hallowed chamber, including those at the gallery.

“I am very emotional at the moment. If at a point you do not hear me very well, you should not blame yourselves.

“It can be that my emotions have taken over my voice. But I will try my best.

“It beats my imagination that I will be speaking about Owhefere in the past tense.

“Owhefere exhibited with and verve in the discharge of his legislative duties.

“He carved a niche for himself as a legislator par excellence early in 2007 and thus was appointed Chief Whip by the Fourth Assembly of the house.

“He has chaired several committees of the house from 2007 till date. In the sixth and seventh assemblies, he became the majority leader, a majority leader with a touch of class.

“In this seventh assembly, aside being the majority leader, he doubled as Chairman of two standing committees – the Information Committee and the Special Committee on Bills.

“This is a rare feat in a house comprising very sound minds.

“His knack for details is second to none. He was the seasoning that added flavour to our debates in plenary, committees’ hearings and at committee of the whole house.

“He was indeed a great team player,” the speaker said.

The Speaker, Conference of Speakers, Mr Abubakar Suleiman, condoled with the State Government and the house.

He described the deceased lawmaker as a great parliamentarian whose memory would be difficult to erase.

Suleiman, who was represented by the Speaker of Edo house of assembly, said, “death has snatched from us one of the best among us, Owhefere.

“This is an uncertain and emotionally very difficult time for you and indeed for the bereaved family.

“The grief, especially of this magnitude is never easy. I urge you to take solace in the fact that death is inevitable

“No doubts, late Owhefere was a great parliamentarian. He earned the trust of his colleagues, having reposed in him trust and confidence to be the majority leader of both the sixth and seventh assemblies.

“It is also important to note that late Owhefere did not betray the trust reposed in him. He was equally loved by his constituents, having been elected into the house since 2007.

“I stand before you today, on behalf of the 36 Honourable Speakers and 998 members of State Houses of Assembly in Nigeria.

“I convey our heartfelt and sincerest condolences to you and Delta government over the painful loss of our dear colleague.”

In an interview with journalists after the session, the state Commissioner for Information, Mr Charles Aniagwu, described the death of the lawmaker as a rude shock to the State Executive Council.

Aniagwu said that the vacuum his death had created would be difficult to fill.