By Uche Amunike
A lawmaker representing the Chikun/Kajuru Federal Constituency of Kaduna State, under the aegis of the Labour Party, Ekene Abubakar Adams has died, Tuesday.
Speaking, through a statement signed and released by spokesman of the House of Representatives, Akin Rotimi, he explained that the lawmaker’s death occurred in the wee hours of the said day.
His death will be the fourth recorded in the past year.
According to him, in October 2023, the legislative chamber lost a member representing Isa/Sabon Birni Federal of Sokoto State, Abdulkadir Danbuga, under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Another representative under the APC , Isa Dogonyaro, also died on May 10, 2024. He presented Babura/Garki FederalConstituency in Jigawa State.
Just last week, the lawmaker representing Ibadan North Federal Constituency in Oyo State, Adewale Akinremi also died at the age of 51.
According to the statement by Rotimi, the late Ekene Abubakar Adams was known for his dedication to duty, passion for sports and philanthropy when he was alive.
His words: ‘He was a dedicated public servant, passionate sports administrator, and kind philanthropist who, until his demise, chaired the House Committee on Sports.’
‘He was a first-term member of the House of Representatives, representing the good people of Chikun/Kajuru Federal Constituency of Kaduna State.’
‘The dear departed lawmaker was a kind and gentle humanitarian, loved by all who knew him. His dedication to the development of grassroots sports in Nigeria was unwavering, and his contributions to the House will be deeply missed.’
‘The House of Representatives extends heartfelt condolences to the family, friends, and constituents of our dear colleague, as well as the good people and government of Kaduna State’, the statement concluded.
The presidential candidate of the Labour party in the 2023 general election, Peter Obi has also expressed his pain over the death of the late Ekene Abubakar Adams, through his official X handle on Tuesday.
Hear him: ‘I am deeply saddened by the news of the passing of Hon. Ekene Abubakar Adams, a member of the Labour Party in the House of Representatives from Kaduna State. My heartfelt condolences go out to his wife, family, and loved ones. His untimely death at the age of 39 is a tragic loss to the nation.’
He maintained that the late lawmaker, even though he served for a short period of time, made significant contributions towards the development of sports in the country. He added that his passion and expertise in the field of sports would be greatly missed.
He also prayed that God would forgive his sins and give him peace, while granting his family and Nigerians the fortitude to bear his loss.
The National Chairman of the Labor Party, Julius Abure, has also mourned the late lawmaker whom he described as a courageous politician that spoke truth to power.
Speaking through a statement issued in Abuja by the National Publicity Secretary of the Labour Party, Obiora Ifoh, Abu said that the news of the lawmaker’s death was a rude shock to him.
His words: ‘We have interacted very closely and was one lawmaker who spoke truth to power even at his young impressionable age. Though he was barely one year in office, his impact on the Chikun/Kajuru Federal Constituency and the entire Kaduna state was huge. Just a few months ago, he donated transformers, cars and motorcycles to communities and individuals and also empowered all the ward chairmen and several women from his constituency across political divides with huge sums of money.’
