Immediate past President of the Senate, Senator David Mark has described second republic Vice President Dr. Alex Ekwueme as a quintessential leader and a hero of the present democratic dispensation in Nigeria.

Senator Mark in a Press statement signed by his Media Assistant Mr Paul Mumeh while Paying tribute to Dr. Ekwueme who transited to the great beyond yesterday,said Ekwueme is an elder statesman who was a fine architect both in character and leadership.

Ekwueme, he added was unarguably a foremost leader of the modern day Nigeria pointing out that besides his successes in politics, he was among the leading indigenous architects who designed the Federal capital Territory ( FCT), Abuja.

He recalled Ekwueme’s  relentless struggle for the enthronement of democracy  in Nigeria when he led the famous G34 that later metamorphosed into the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that formed the government in 1999.

He listed Ekwueme’s exploits in  politics and leadership to include but not limited to propounding the theory of the segmentation of Nigeria into the current six geo political zones for administrative and political convenience  during the 1994/95 constitutional conference convoked by late Head of State General Sani Abacha.

Interestingly, the six geo political zonal  structure ( North West, North East, South East, South West, North Central and South South ) have remain the a road map for power sharing arrangement in Nigeria today.

According to Mark: ” Nigeria and indeed Africa has lost a visionary leader. A forefront politician who brought intellectualism into governance.  His quest for excellence, due process and rule of law  in Nigeria will remain a reference point in politics and leadership in many years to come.

“No doubt, history will be kind to Ekwueme  for his immeasurable contributions to the political, socio and economic development of Nigeria”.

Senator Mark urged the federal government to immortalize  Ekwueme for his selfless contributions to the nation.

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Ekwueme: A hero of Democracy, Says Senator Mark.