The senator representing Borno South, Ali Ndume, has urged 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 honored the late senator.
DAILY POST reports that the lawmaker died in July at the age of 52.
He 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.
“What I want to appeal to you, Mr President, is that we keep the spirit and aspirations of Ifeanyi alive,” Ndume said.
“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.”
Ndume also 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 noted that Senator Iyabo Obasanjo and Senator Ede Dafinone have also followed their fathers’ paths, representing their family legacies in the Senate.
To strengthen his argument, Ndume stated, “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 honor for the Anambra South Senatorial District.”
