Ndume begs National Assembly to allow Ifeanyi Ubah’s widow to replace her husband

Abdullateef Fowewe

The senator representing Borno South, Ali Ndume, has begged the Senate to permit the widow of the late Senator Ifeanyi Ubah to take his place as the representative for the Anambra South Senatorial District.

Ndume made this request during a valedictory session on Tuesday that honoured the late senator.

Ndume told his colleagues that Ubah’s wife should succeed him in the Senate to preserve his “legacy and aspirations.”

Ndume made reference to several historical examples, citing the First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu’s service in the National Assembly.

He said, “What I want to appeal to you, Mr President, is that we keep the spirit and aspirations of Ifeanyi alive.

“This has happened before. When Chuba Okadigbo, a great politician, passed away, his wife, Margery, joined the Senate and carried on his legacy.

“Similarly, our First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, served in this chamber, largely supported by the goodwill of Lagosians and the legacy of her husband, who was a former governor.”

He further pointed to other instances, such as Senator Tokunbo Abiru, whose father was a senator in 1979, and Senator Abdulaziz Yar’Adua, who continues the political legacy of the Yar’Adua family.

He remarked that Senator Iyabo Obasanjo and Senator Ede Dafinone have also followed their fathers’ paths, representing their family legacies in the Senate.

“His wife, fortunately, is around 50 years old and has been a wonderful support system to him.

“I appeal to you, Mr. President and my distinguished colleagues to support the idea of his family having a spiritual representative here in this chamber.

“This will ensure continuity and honour for the Anambra South Senatorial District,” Ndume stressed.

Ifeanyi Ubah reportedly died on July 26 at the age of 52.