Senator Ali Ndume from Borno South has made an appeal to the Nigerian Senate, urging his colleagues to allow Ifeanyi Ubah’s widow to replace him as the senator for Anambra South. The appeal was made during a special session on November 19, held to honor the late Senator Ubah, who passed away in July at the age of 52 after a short illness.

Before his death, Ubah, a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), chaired the Senate Committee on Petroleum Downstream. Since then, Senator Kawu Sumaila from Kano South was appointed to take over Ubah’s responsibilities.

During the session, Ndume reminded the Senate that, in the past, some deceased senators have been succeeded by their wives or close family members. He referenced the cases of Margery Okadigbo, the widow of Chuba Okadigbo, and Oluremi Tinubu, who became a senator due to the influence of her husband, President Bola Tinubu. Ndume emphasized that this tradition should continue in the case of Ubah’s widow.

Ndume described Ubah’s widow as a capable woman and asked his colleagues to support her in carrying on her husband’s political legacy. He highlighted that allowing her to take her late husband’s seat would honor Ubah’s spirit and aspirations.

This request has opened up a discussion about family succession in Nigerian politics, but Ndume’s appeal remains a significant moment in the Senate’s ongoing activities.