Senator Ali Ndume, representing Borno South, has urged the Senate to back Uchenna, the widow of late Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, to take his place in representing Anambra South.
Ndume made the appeal during a Senate session on Tuesday honouring Ubah, who passed away in July at the age of 52.
Ndume expressed that allowing Ubah’s wife to succeed him would continue the “legacy and aspirations” of the late senator.
He pointed to historical precedents where family members upheld the legacies of late politicians. For instance, Margery Okadigbo joined the Senate following the passing of her husband, prominent politician Chuba Okadigbo.
Additionally, Ndume mentioned that Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, had a successful tenure in the Senate, benefiting from the legacy and support of her husband, former governor Bola Tinubu.
Ndume also cited other instances where family ties were significant in politics, such as Abdulaziz Yar’Adua carrying forward the legacy of his late brother, former President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua, by serving in the Senate, and Senator Iyabo Obasanjo, daughter of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.
Ndume also referenced Senator Dafinone, whose father previously served as a distinguished senator.
In his appeal, Ndume encouraged the Senate to support Ubah’s wife, noting that she is around 50 years old and had been a strong support for her late husband.
He urged his colleagues to honour Ifeanyi Ubah’s memory by supporting his widow’s potential candidacy for the Anambra South Senate seat in the upcoming election as a gesture of continuity and respect for his legacy.