Senator Ali Ndume (APC, Borno South) has appealed to his colleagues in the Senate to support the widow of the late Senator Ifeanyi Ubah in replacing him as the senator representing Anambra South Senatorial District.
Ndume made this appeal during the valedictory session on Tuesday, November 19, held in honor of the late senator. He reminded his colleagues that it is not unprecedented for family members to take over the seats of deceased senators.
He cited examples such as Chuba Okadigbo’s wife, Margery, and Oluremi Tinubu, who became senators due to their relationships with influential politicians.
Ndume’s Argument
Ndume argued that allowing Ubah’s widow to replace him would be a way to continue his legacy and ensure that his family remains involved in the political process.
He described Ubah’s widow as a “wonderful wife” capable of representing the people of Anambra South Senatorial District.
“It happened before. Chuba Okadigbo was a great politician when he died; years after, his wife, the widow Margery, was sitting around here.
“Our first lady, Oluremi Tinubu, came to the Senate by the virtue of the people of Lagos and her husband, the president who served two terms… They insisted that she should go for a third term. She told me that her dream was to be a pastor.
“Abiru’s father was a great senator in 1979. Right here is Yar’Adua? Everybody knows Yar’Adua (Katsina Central Senator).
“Senator (Iyabo) Obasanjo, if you remember, is the daughter of General Obasanjo. Sitting in front of me is Dafinone; his father was a great senator,” he said.
Ndume, therefore, appealed to his colleagues to support Mr. Ubah’s wife in getting her late husband’s seat. “Finally, Mr. President, my appeal to you and distinguished colleagues: His wife, fortunately, is 50 years or so old, a wonderful wife. Let us support the family by having a spirit representative of Ifeanyi here in the chamber…“
Questions of Meritocracy Raised
Mr. Ifeanyi Ubah, who won the election as a member of the Young Peoples Party (YPP) in 2023, later joined the ruling party, All Progressives Congress (APC), to which Mr. Ndume belongs. He died in July at a London hospital at the age of 52.
Before his passing, the late senator was gearing up to challenge incumbent Gov. Chukwuma Soludo for the state’s governorship in the election billed for 2025.
However, not everyone is convinced by Ndume’s argument. Many have wondered if Ndume’s appeal aligns with the Constitution or even the Senate rules, and others are raising questions about meritocracy in the political and democratic process.
The late senator will be buried in his hometown of Nnewi, Anambra State, on Saturday, November 23, 2024.
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