Senate thrown into mourning as Imo Senator dies

Chairman of the Senate Committee on Labour and Employment, Senator Benjamin Uwajumogu has died.

Uwajumogu who is the senator representing Imo North attended plenary on Tuesday but died less than 24 hours after.

The cause and circumstances of the death of the 51-year-old could not be confirmed last night but sources said he slumped suddenly yesterday morning in his house while having his bath. He was confirmed dead at an Apo hospital.

Senate President Ahmad Lawan expressed shock, especially when Uwajumogu “was full of life” at the chamber on Tuesday.”

Lawan, in a statement by his Media Adviser, Ola Awoniyi, commiserated with the deceased’s family, Imo State and friends over the loss.

He added: “But God gives and takes in line with his supreme sovereignty, so we cannot question His will.

“Senator Uwajumogu’s sudden death is shocking and a painful loss to the ninth National Assembly where he always made robust contributions to debates and other activities of the upper legislative chamber.

“He will be greatly missed by all of us and staff of the Senate.”

Uwajumogu was said to have been treated in the United Arab Emirates for protracted illness, but recently returned to Abuja after showing signs of recovery, according to Premium Times.

Born on June 30, 1968 in Umuihi Ihitte/Uboma Local Government Area, the late Uwajumogu became the pioneer Chairman of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) on Ihitte/Uboma in 1990.

The late Uwajumogu, who was first elected a Senator in 2017, was reelected in 2019.

He was the Imo state House of Assembly Speaker between 2011 and 2015.