Former president of the senate, Senator David Mark, has described former deputy leader of the Senate, Senator Jonathan Silas Zwingina, as a foremost parliamentarian and scholar who brought his wealth of experience and expertise to bear.
Reacting to Zwingina’s death, Mark, in a statement by his media adviser Paul Mumeh, said the senator’s demise is a monumental loss to the nation, especially the political class.
Senator Zwingina passed away at the age of 70 on Wednesday after a brief illness in Abuja.
Mark, who recalled the pioneering role of Zwingina in the early stages of the current democratic dispensation in 1999, lamented the huge vacuum created by the late lawmaker’s exit.
The former senate president said, “Senator Zwingina was a pathfinder of sorts and a parliamentarian of international repute. Like Cicero, he was a great forensic orator and philosopher.
“He was an unrepentant democrat. He championed the struggle for democracy, human rights and rule of law. As the then chairman of the Senate Committee on Information and Media, Senator Zwingina used the platform to espouse the essence of civil rule, freedom and right of the citizens.
“Senator Zwingina has left a huge vacuum that would be difficult to fill.
“We are however consoled that he lived an eventful and accomplished life worthy of emulation.”
Mark prayed that God in His infinite mercies grant the deceased eternal rest, just as he prayed that God grants the immediate family, government and people of Adamawa State the fortitude to bear the loss.
