CLO ANAMBRA COMMENDS SENATOR VICTOR UMEH FOR PATRIOTISM, COURAGE, SELFLESSNESS AND PEOPLE-ORIENTED REPRESENTATION

Says: “Future Generations Will Not Ask You Which Political Party You Belonged To, But What Did You Do When The Glaciers Were Melting”

By Chukwudi Ebele 

The Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO), Anambra State Branch, the foremost human rights and pro-democracy organisation in Nigeria, has commended Distinguished Senator Dr. Victor Umeh, OFR, Senator representing Anambra Central Senatorial District, for his rare display of patriotism, courage, selflessness and unwavering commitment to the welfare, wellbeing and best interest of Nigerians in general, Ndi Anambra and Ndi Igbo in particular.

This commendation is contained in a press statement issued to newsmen in Awka, the Anambra State capital, on Sunday, 18th October, 2026, and jointly endorsed by Evangelist Comrade Vincent Ezekwueme AMBP-UN, Chairman, CLO Anambra State Branch, Comrade Chidi Mbah, Secretary, and Comrade Peter Oke.

The statement is titled: *”Future Generations Will Not Ask You Which Political Party You Belonged To, But What Did You Do When The Glaciers Were Melting.

1. A CHAMPION OF SOCIO-ECONOMIC JUSTICE, EQUITY AND EGALITARIANISM

CLO stated that it has followed with keen interest and admiration the legislative and humanitarian interventions of Senator Umeh since his assumption of office, and has found him worthy of commendation.

“We wish to place on record our profound gratitude and appreciation to Senator Victor Umeh for championing the cause of socio-economic justice, equity, equality and egalitarianism in a country where injustice and inequality have become endemic.

He has proven beyond reasonable doubt that politics should be about service to the people and not about self-aggrandizement. He is a fanatic when it comes to the welfare, security and prosperity of the people he represents and Nigerians at large,” CLO stated.

2. FRONTLINE ADVOCACY FOR SOUTHEAST DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION

According to CLO, history will be kind to Senator Umeh for being in the forefront of the prolonged struggle and legislative advocacy that led to the establishment of the South-East Development Commission (SEDC).

“At a time when many were silent, Senator Umeh spoke loudly, clearly and courageously. He moved motions, sponsored bills, organized stakeholders and mobilized his colleagues to understand why SEDC was not a favour but a necessity and a matter of justice for a zone ravaged by civil war, abandoned after the war and devastated by erosion. Today, SEDC is a reality. Future generations of Ndi Igbo will remember his role,” the Organisation noted.

3. VOICE AGAINST DEMOLITION OF IGBO SHOPS AND CLOSURE OF ONITSHA DRUG MARKET

CLO also recalled with appreciation Senator Umeh’s timely intervention against the indiscriminate demolition of shops and business premises belonging to Igbos in some parts of the country, particularly in Lagos.

“He refused to be silent in the face of oppression. He stood with the traders, visited them, raised the matter on the floor of the Senate and demanded justice and compensation. That is what true representation means.

Similarly, when the Onitsha Bridge Head Drug Market, one of the largest pharmaceutical markets in Africa, was closed for months, subjecting traders, patients and the entire health sector to untold hardship, Senator Umeh was among the first to condemn the prolonged closure and to call for a more humane, dialogue-driven and regulatory approach rather than collective punishment,” CLO said.

4. DEFENDER AGAINST MARGINALIZATION IN BUDGET AND APPOINTMENTS

The human rights body noted that in the Senate, Senator Umeh has consistently spoken against every intended marginalization or exclusion of the Southeast in the national budget, federal infrastructure allocation, political appointments, and security architecture.

“His eagle eyes and courageous voice have ensured that many items that would have been omitted or under-allocated to the Southeast were restored. His interventions have helped tremendously in ensuring that what is legitimately and constitutionally due to the Southeast is not denied. He has made the Southeast to be seen, heard and counted,” CLO added.

5. EROSION MENACE AND RAILWAY INCLUSION

CLO further disclosed that Senator Umeh, alongside Senator Osita Izunaso, jointly raised a motion of urgent national importance on the devastating erosion menace in the Southeast, describing erosion as the greatest ecological threat to the survival of the zone.

“That motion is today receiving urgent and immediate attention from the Federal Government and development partners. Likewise, when the Southeast was initially excluded from the National Railway Modernization Programme, Senator Umeh spoke vehemently against such exclusion, describing it as unjust and economically unwise. His protest and legislative lobbying led to the prompt inclusion of the Southeast in the railway master plan,” the statement said.

6. EDUCATION AS WEAPON AGAINST POVERTY

CLO stated that Senator Umeh believes strongly in the timeless wisdom of global icon Dr. Nelson Mandela who said: “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world” and “To educate the children of the poor is to liberate them from poverty.”

“It is on record that Senator Umeh’s educational empowerment is unequalled. Thousands of students in Anambra Central have benefited from his scholarship scheme, bursary awards for undergraduates,free JAMB/ WAEC registration, distribution of educational materials, school uniforms, desks, and facilitation of classroom blocks and ICT centres. He understands that to invest in education is to invest in the future,” CLO noted.

7. INFRASTRUCTURE, WIDOWS HOUSING AND HUMANITARIAN SERVICES

Beyond legislation, CLO said Senator Umeh has distinguished himself in constituency projects and humanitarian services.

“His road construction and rehabilitation projects across the seven local government areas of Anambra Central speak for themselves. Communities that were hitherto inaccessible are now connected.

More touching is his housing programme for indigent widows. He has built and donated fully furnished bungalows to poor widows who had no roof over their heads, thereby restoring their dignity and hope.

He has also rendered and is still rendering selfless services to various religious organizations – Catholic, Anglican and Pentecostal churches, to schools, hospitals, youth organizations and the less privileged. He does not discriminate,” CLO stated.

CONCLUSION: A MODEL FOR EMULATION

CLO concluded that Senator Umeh has lived beyond expectations and has redefined legislative representation in Nigeria.

“He has shown that a legislator should be a legislator of the people, by the people and for the people. He has shown that courage is not the absence of fear, but the determination to speak truth to power despite fear.

We therefore call on other political leaders – Senators, Members of House of Representatives, State Assembly Members, Local Government Chairmen and political appointees – to emulate Senator Victor Umeh’s model of selfless, courageous, people-oriented and God-fearing leadership.

Posterity will not ask us which political party we belonged to. Posterity will ask us what we did when our people were suffering, when our region was marginalized and when our democracy was threatened,” CLO concluded.

Signed:

Evangelist Comrade Vincent Ezekwueme AMBP-UN

Chairman,

Civil Liberties Organisation (CLO),

Anambra State Branch

Comrade Chidi Mbah

Secretary,

CLO Anambra State Branch

Comrade Peter Oke

PRO/ Member,

CLO Anambra State Branch