President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, yesterday, led some Distinguished Senators on a condolence visit to the family of Late Senator Itak Bob Ekarika, in Oruk Anam Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State.
Ekarika was a member of the Senate from 2003 to 2007. He contested the governorship ticket in 2007 with Senator Akpabio and later rallied support for his emergence as the governor in 2007.
He also campaigned for and voted for Senator Akpabio during the 2023 Senatorial elections, which led to his emergence as the President of the Senate.
A statement by Special Assistant On Media to the President of the Senate, Jackson Udom, quoted Akpabio, as saying that Ekarika was “a consumate politician, who was committed to the welfare of his people. As the Deputy Managing Director in National Oil, he ensured that our youths got employed. He played his part for humanity. He employed a lot of our people and mentored so many.”
According to the Senate President, ” He lived a good life and was blessed with good children. He contributed immensely to the development of his people. He was a very simple and easy going person, who cared less of wealth acquisition. When the 10th Senate learnt of his demise, we decided to come here to append our signatures on the condolence register of our departed colleague.”
“He would be given a befitting burial and would be given his due on the floor of the Senate. The family is not alone on this. We will take part in the burial arrangements.
“On behalf of his colleagues in the National Assembly of 2003-2007 and present Senate, we say please accept the condolences of all his friends and associates and may the soul of the Patriarch of the Ekarika family rest in perfect peace, ” he stated.
Earlier in his welcome speech, the scion of the departed lawmaker, Ekarika Itak Ekarika, thanked the Senate leadership for the visit.