OBITUARY: Chukwumerije ‘first died’ last year

It is always tough to report the death of someone like Uche Chukwumerije, a three-time senator of the first republic who is most remembered for his positions as director of the Biafra directorate of propaganda and later Biafran minister of information. Those journalists who first received the tragedy news would have “wished the cup passed over them”. This is because Chukwumerije had ‘died before’ – only for events to turn out that he was actually alive.

In December 2014, shortly after losing the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Abia north senatorial ticket to Mao Ohuabunwa, a former member of the house of representatives, Chukwumerije was reported  to have died. The rumour was that when news of his loss to Ohuabunwa was broken to him, he slumped and died immediately.

But he soon denied the rumour, branding those behind it “a few ungodly and irresponsible individuals” whom he had forgiven.

“It has come to our notice that a few ungodly and irresponsible individuals are sponsoring the rumoured demise or incapacitation of our amiable, admirable, adorable and highly responsible senator…,” Azuikpe Ogbonna, his media aide, said  at the time.

“We wish to put it on record that the distinguished Senator Uche Chukwumerije is neither dead nor incapacitated by stroke. He is very much alive and has forgiven those behind this rumour as a good father he has always been to his people. He uses this medium to advise them to change from their wicked ways before it is too late, to escape the wrath of God, who gives and takes life in accordance with His divine will.”

On Sunday when news of his ‘second death’ began circulating, it was his son Chika – the Beijing 2008 Olympics bronze medallist – and Chidi, a family representative, who confirmed it was no rumour.

“We are trying to organise some things; he died at exactly 4.30 p.m., this evening,” Chika said.

“He died here in Abuja and was surrounded by his friends before his last breath. He has been an inspiration in ways I cannot explain.”

In a separate statement, Chidi said: “On the evening of Sunday, the 19th of April, 2015, surrounded by his family, Comrade Uche Chukwumerije passed into the open arms of history, and of our Lord Jesus Christ, after a long but gallant battle with lung cancer.

“His life is many volumes, which can only be told with care and time, of dedication and focus, integrity and discipline, and an unbroken love for the highest ideals of our shared humanity. Details of burial arrangements will be announced in due course. We ask only for your prayers and good wishes.”

Although Chukwumerije spent  a total of 12 years at the senate, his brief role as the information strategist for Biafra was undoubtedly closer to his heart – so much so that when Ango Abdullahi’s Northern Elders Forum threatened to drag Azbuike Ihejirika, former chief of army staff, to the International Criminal Court of Justice (ICC) over alleged killing of civilians in Baga town, Borno state, Chukwumerije quickly reminded the north that justice had still not been dispensed for the massacre of two million Igbo people during the civil war.

“The plan of Northern Elders Forum to drag the immediate past chief of army staff, Lt. General Azubuike Ihejirika, and six others to International Criminal Court of Justice in Hague is capable of unleashing a national ill-wind that will do no one (including Prof. Ango Abdullahi’s group) any good in this federation,” he said.

“The approach of the group to a national problem is selective, patently biased apparently in search of preconceived culprits, pointedly indifferent to the demands of national unity, and highly provocative to the sensibilities of all who genuinely desire the unity and stability of this federation.
Opening the Pandora Box

“As Ango Abdullahi’s team opens the doors and walks into the hall of the world court, let them realize that they have at last opened the Pandora’s Box.
“The indigenes of Odi, Zaki-Biam and Katsina Ala will in quick succession file into the hall. At the same time, Ndigbo of South East and Anioma will dust their files and head for Hague.”