“Let Us Keep Ifeanyi’s Spirit Alive” – Senator Ndume Calls for Support for Ubah’s Widow to Succeed Him in the Senate

The widow of the late Senator Ifeanyi Patrick Ubah was the focus of heartfelt tributes during a recent valedictory session in the Senate, where colleagues gathered to honor the life and legacy of the senator who passed away in July at the age of 52. The late senator, who had represented Anambra South Senatorial District, succumbed to a brief illness in a London hospital. He was a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and had been preparing to contest the 2025 Anambra governorship election after defecting from the Young Progressives Party (YPP) in late 2023.

During the session, Senator Ali Ndume of Borno South made an impassioned appeal for the widow of the late senator to be considered as his replacement in the Senate. Citing precedence, Mr. Ndume reminded his colleagues of instances where family members of deceased senators, including widows, succeeded their loved ones in the National Assembly. He referenced prominent figures such as Margery Okadigbo, who succeeded her late husband Chuba Okadigbo, and First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, who rose to prominence with the support of her husband, now President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Mr. Ndume urged his colleagues to honor Senator Ubah’s memory by supporting his widow in carrying forward his legislative legacy. He emphasized that this gesture would ensure continuity of the senator’s aspirations and contributions to the Senate. “Let us keep the spirit and aspirations of Ifeanyi alive,” he said, stressing the importance of providing representation for Anambra South through a candidate closely tied to the late senator’s vision.

Until his death, Senator Ubah served as the chairperson of the Senate Committee on Petroleum Downstream, a position now filled by Kano South Senator Kawu Sumaila.

While Mr. Ndume’s appeal resonated with many in the chamber, he acknowledged that the process of electing a senator is governed by Nigeria’s constitution. According to Section 65, any aspiring senator must be nominated by a political party, contest an election conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), and emerge victorious before assuming office.