Support Ifeanyi Ubah’s widow to succeed him as senator, Ndume begs senate

Ali Ndume, senator representing Borno south, has asked the upper legislative chamber to support Uchenna, the wife of the late lawmaker, Ifeanyi Ubah, to succeed him.

Ndume spoke during a valedictory session held on Tuesday in the senate to honour the late Anambra south senator.

The lawmaker died in July at the age of 52.

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

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

“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. In fact, she told me that her dream was to be a pastor.

Ndume said Abdulaziz Yar’Adua sustained the political legacy of the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua by joining the senate.

“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.

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

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

“Finally, Mr. President, my appeal to you and distinguished colleagues, his wife, fortunately, is 50 years or so. A wonderful wife.

“Let us support the family to have a spirit representative of Ifeanyi here in the chamber when the election of Anambra of the senatorial district that he represents comes up.

“This will ensure continuity and honour for the Anambra south senatorial district.”

MEMBERSHIP OF THE SENATE

Senate membership is neither automatic nor transferable from one individual to another.

According to section 65 of the 1999 Constitution, a person can only become a member of the senate through election.

The person shall be qualified for election if he or she has been educated up to at least school certificate level or its equivalent, is a member of a political party, and is sponsored by that party.