By Kolawole Ojebisi
The lawmaker representing Borno South, Ali Ndume, has appealed to the Senate to allow the widow of the late Senator Ifeanyi Ubah to replace him as the representative of Anambra South Senatorial District.
The lawmaker noted that the gesture would help cement the deceased’s legacy and preserve his aspirations through a family member.
He also argued that allowing the deceased widow to replace him would honour the late senator’s contributions to the Senate and ensure continuity in representing his constituency.
Ndume made this appeal during the Valedictory session held on Tuesday in honour of the late senator. To make his argument compelling, Ndume cited some supposedly historical precedents.
“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 referenced other examples, including Senator Tokunbo Abiru, whose father served as a senator in 1979, and Senator Abdulaziz Yar’Adua, who carries on the political legacy of the Yar’Adua family.
He highlighted that Senator Iyabo Obasanjo and Senator Ede Dafinone also followed in their fathers’ footsteps, representing their family legacies in the Senate.
Making his point, Ndume said, “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.”
Meanwhile, Ndume did not state whether he was arguing for an automatic replacement of Ubah with his wife or rallying support massive for her prior to a bye-election to fill the vacant seat.
This is because those cited as examples to buttress his argument did not emerge as replacement to deceased legislators.
Seeking automatic replacement for Ubah’s wife in the Senate violates the position of the Constitution.
The Constitution clearly states that a deceased lawmaker must be replaced through a by-election
In fact, about a year ago, the red chamber rejected a bill seeking an amendment to the Electoral Act 2022.
The bill, sponsored by Senator Sunday Karimi (APC, Kogi), sought to allow political parties to replace a validly elected state or federal lawmaker if he/she dies or resigns without the conduct of a fresh election.
Karimi had proposed an amendment to Section 34 of the Electoral Act by inserting a new section 43B.
Karimi, in his lead debate, argued that the votes cast during an election belonged to the political parties and they should be allowed to nominate a replacement should a vacancy occur in any legislative house.
