An Icon Takes a Bow

On Friday 19th of July, 2013, the body of a gentleman, legal luminary and a pioneer in many respects, Senator Akpor Pius Ewherido (KSM) would in Ewhu, in Delta State be laid to rest even as his spirit lives on. 

Born on May 4, 1963, into the family of Joseph Ewherido, a retired school principal and administrator and his wife, Paulina, Senator Ewherido is t

he third in a family of eight children, all males. His parents, who were and still are staunch Catholics, brought him up in the strict Christian teachings and Catholic tradition. He started his primary school at St. Paul’s, Ughelli and finished in RCM Primary School, Ozoro, all in Delta State. For his secondary education, he attended Notre Dame College, Ozoro also in Delta State. Thereafter, he proceeded to the University of Ife (Now Obafemi Awolowo University) where he studied philosophy and emerged the best graduating student in his class. After his youth service in Ogun State University, Ago Iwoye, he went into business and was a successful businessman in Warri, Delta State. After a while he enrolled in University of Benin to study law. He was subsequently called to the bar after law school.

Senator Ewherido cut his teeth in politics when he joined the United Nigeria Congress Party in 1997 during the Sani Abacha era. After the botched transition programme, he continued running his businesses. In 1998, he joined the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). He contested and won the Ughelli South Constituency election to the Delta State House of Assembly in 1999. His colleagues, who noticed his leadership qualities in those early days, elected him deputy speaker which was the highest position zoned to Delta Central in the house. For over a year, he also acted as speaker of the house. His distinguished, vibrant, sterling and robust leadership are still reference points, almost six years after he left the house. He brought recognition, acceptance, dignity and prestige to the office of the deputy speaker and was perhaps the most visible state assembly deputy speaker in his time.

Senator Ewherido was not just a leader in the house; he was a lawmaker par excellent. In his eight years in the house he moved over 40 motions that were adopted and sponsored and co- sponsored eight bills among which are:

1) Law Prohibiting Harmful, Cruel and Discriminatory Practices Against Females and Widows
2) Prohibition of Female Circumcision and Genital Mutilation
3) A Law to Make Policy Provisions for Employment of Indigenes in Delta State and for Other Matters Connected Therewith.
4) A law to Make Provisions for the Establishment of Delta State Blood Transfusion Databank and Other Incidental matters, 2006
5) A law to Make Provisions for the Amendment of Legal officers (Harmonisation of salaries with magistrates) Law in 1996 and for other matters connected therewith
6) Employment of Legislative Aides, Employment Protection for Deltans in Junior Staff category in Establishments in Delta State, 1999.
7) A Law to Provide for the Grant of Bursary and Award of Scholarship to Students of Delta State Origin in Educational Institutions and Matters Connected thereto

In his time in the house, over 10 roads were constructed in his Ughelli South Constituency, over 20 towns and villages were provided with electricity, over 15 towns and villages were provided potable drinking water, a lot of primary and secondary schools were given face lift in the local government, among many other projects. It was mainly in appreciation of his performance that he was overwhelmingly voted back to the house in 2003. Other accolades also came in appreciation of his performance and contributions. His paternal people honoured him with the chieftaincy title of Otemunoruemu of Ewhu Kingdom, while his maternal kiths and kins bestowed on him the title of Adjerese of Effurun-Otor Kingdom. His maternal people in Enwhe, Isoko South also conferred on him the title of Aruore of Enwhe. Recently the Ohworode of Olomu Kingdom, HRM Ovie R.L. Ogbon Ogoni Oghoro 1 on his 96th birthday and 25th coronation anniversary honoured him with title of Eje Urhobo Yovwi of Olomu Kingdom.

Ewherido contested the PDP governorship primaries in 2006. Dissatisfied with the conduct of the primaries, he withdrew from active politics in 2007 after his tenure in the house ended. In 2010 he switched camp to the Democratic People’s Party. He contested and won the DPP Delta Central Senatorial primaries before going to win the main election in 2011. Since 2011, even as a lone DPP senator, Ewherido has been giving the people of Delta Central vibrant and effective representation, drawing from his experience as a state legislator. In less than two years in the senate, he has sponsored four bills. They are:

1) A Bill for an Act to make provisions creating the offence of Corporate Manslaughter and matters incidental thereto.
2) A Bill for an Act to Establish the Welding Standards Regulatory Council of Nigeria.
3) A Bill for an Act to alter the provisions of The Constitution of The Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 to provide for Devolution of more responsibilities to States And Public Sector Accountability (by the creation of the office of Auditor General of the Federation as distinct from The Office of The Auditor General of The Federal government of Nigeria).
4) A Bill for an Act to alter the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, to streamline the jurisdiction of the appellate courts for quick dispensation of justice and for matters incidental thereto.

Majority of the bills Ewherido has sponsored since his days in the state assembly are people- oriented which lends credence to his humanist disposition. Ewherido is a man of the people, a thoroughbred grass root politician. He has also co-sponsored 12 motions so far in the senate. He has attracted developmental projects, scholarships, job opportunities, training locally and abroad among others to his constituents and constituency.

Fondly called Gogorogo by friends and admirers, Ewherido is a man of enormous intelligence, great vision and penetrative thinking. He has by utterances and deeds proven his selflessness over the years as a leader. A lover of sports, he was into taekwondo, table tennis and lawn tennis in his younger days and he is still an ardent long tennis player and football follower. He is a Real Madrid fan of 23 years.

Like his father, Senator Ewherido is a devout Catholic, a family man to the core and a lover of children. A Knight of St. Mulumba, and married to Doye Ewherido (nee Bozimo) and they are blessed with six children.

As you take your place in the bosom of the Almighty whom you faithfully served in truth, in words and in deed, while on this mortal plane, continually plead for us, intercede for us with the Almighty and reconcile us to Him. Rest in Peace in Paradise for you have earned it. As you rest in Heaven, you live forever in our hearts and history that validates and vindicates your life.