Enwerem, ex-Senate president, dies

A former President of the Senate, Chief Evan Enwerem, is dead.

His death was confirmed around 5.30pm on Thursday by the Director of Clinical Services, National Hospital, Abuja, Dr. Patience Ahmed.

“I can confirm to you that Enwerem was our patient and that he is dead. He died early this (Thursday) morning in the intensive care unit of the hospital,” Ahmed said.

When asked the cause of his death, she responded, “We are under oath not to disclose such information concerning our patients.”



A source in the hospital said that Enwerem was first admitted to the private wing of the hospital, but was transferred to the intensive care unit when his condition worsened.
A friend of the Enwerem family, who spoke with one of our correspondents from Owerri, Imo State, said the senator was brought to the hospital to stabilise his condition before he could be flown abroad for treatment.

Our correspondents gathered at the hospital that an air ambulance was already at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, for Enwerem’s flight abroad before he died.


“This information is highly confidential. Further information will have to come from his family.”
A former senator, who did not want his name in print, said, “I heard he passed on this (Thursday) morning. But his family members are abroad.

“For now, no one is here to issue a formal statement. I suggest you wait till tomorrow (today) when his wife is expected back.”


A close political associate of the politician, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said that Enwerem was believed to have died of an ailment that had to do with the central nervous system.

Another politician said that the former President of the Senate was admitted to the hospital about two weeks ago.


When contacted, the Chief Press Secretary to Imo State Governor, Mr. Steve Osuji, said he could not confirm the death. Osuji stated that the information he got from the family of the politician was that he was critically ill.

Another top source in the state Government House said that the government learnt that Enwerem was on oxygen machine.

When one of our correspondents visited the residence of Enwerem situated at off Okigwe Road, Owerri, nobody was available for comment.

When contacted, the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Publicity, Senator Ayogu Eze, said, “I cannot comment on the issue yet. Please, bear with me.”


A former governor of Imo State, he was born in Attah, Ikeduru Local Government Area of Imo State in 1935 and elected President of the Senate in 1999.

He occupied the office for only six months before trouble came calling.


He was entangled in a controversy over his appropriate first name, since it became public that a certain Evans Enwerem had been convicted by a court of law a few months after Nigeria’s independence.

The former President of the Senate put up a spirited defence that the convicted Evans Enwerem was his late twin brother.

He said he was Evan Enwerem, but his colleagues found it difficult to believe his explanations.

Here are some of his Quotable Quotes

“In place of the active support that was required to make a success of the senate presidency, what I received was a flood of well-organised, adequately sponsored, and orchestrated attacks on my person and my integrity.”

At his first news conference on November 23, 1999 shortly after his removal as senate president.

“We owe it as a duty to our people and generations unborn that nothing goes wrong in Nigeria. We want to leave a good legacy to our people.”

At a meeting of Imo Leaders convened by former Transport Minister, Dr. Kema Chikwe on March 14, 2000

“In view of their positions and responsibilities, professionals have a responsibility to ensure that they don’t collaborate or collude with criminally minded people.”

When a former President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, Chief Adeboye Badejo, paid him a visit on October 21, 1999.

“I believe the word ‘Mature’ by which I am called is a complement rather than criticism. Some people identify me by that word because I have always been very careful and not too much in a hurry to take decisions. I calculate the various options before I take a decision.”

In an interview with a national daily on September 23, 1999.

“I want to assure everybody that it is all blackmail and falsehood, executed by some people against me. Somebody has just gone down and some other persons are looking for who next should fall.”

At a reception organised in his honour in Owerri, Imo State on July 31, 1999.

“I have been an unfortunate victim of unhealthy circumstances and I have to bear the cross with whatever is left of my dignity.”

His words while taking his seat as ordinary member of the Senate on November 23, 1999.

“I am convinced as millions of other Nigerians that General Abacha’s record stands him in best stead over and above those who have so far indicated interest in the presidential election.”

In an interview with a National Daily on April 6, 1998.

“I am not aware of any trial, you are informing me and you don’t cross a bridge until you get there. Until such a trial or impeachment proceedings begin, you cannot ask me my reaction towards it. That; (his possible impeachment) will not be the end of the world. I was not born a Senate President.”

At an interview with aviation correspondents.

“I have practised politics for more than three decades, I am not a quitter; I don’t quit. I never give up especially when I know that my cause is just. I just went there as a senator and at the fullness of time it was taken from me. I will pray and wait for the role which I can play in future.”

At a reception in Owerri shortly after his impeachment on November 27, 1999.

CHIEF EVAN ENWEREM REST IN PEACE!