Kluemedia reports that Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, who represented the Anambra South Senatorial District at the National Assembly, was laid to rest on Friday in his hometown, Otolo Nnewi, Anambra State. However, sources close to the family and the burial committee have raised concerns over the apparent lack of support from the Senate leadership during the burial preparations.
Despite the Senate President Godswill Akpabio’s public show of tribute during the Senate’s valedictory session on November 19, 2024, sources confirmed that the leadership of the Senate failed to establish any official communication or liaison with the family or the national burial committee. There was no contribution from the Senate towards the burial arrangements, and no committee was formed to facilitate the burial process.
One source close to the situation told SaharaReporters, “The Senate leadership never contacted the burial committee or the family to make input in the preparation of their late colleague’s burial. They did not contribute financially, nor did they send any delegation to Nnewi on November 22, 2024, to mourn their departed colleague.”
Ifeanyi Ubah, a former member of the Young Progressives Party who defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), died in London on July 27, 2024, while still serving as a senator. His burial on Friday was attended by several prominent dignitaries, including Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, former Senate President Bukola Saraki, and Senator Victor Umeh.
Sources revealed that of the nine senators who attended Ubah’s burial, seven were from the South-East region. Only two senators, Senator Pam from Plateau and Senator Agadaga from Bayelsa, were from outside the South-East. Notably, no senator from the South-West, North-West, or North-East attended, and the South-South and North-Central regions were represented by only one senator each.
Further reports suggest that the Senate leadership discouraged senators from attending the burial, citing non-existent security concerns. The wife of the Senate President, who typically leads the Senators’ Wives Forum, did not send any delegation to condole with Ubah’s wife, Mrs. Uche Ubah.
In the Christian tradition, attending the burial mass is considered the highest form of respect for the deceased, yet no senator spoke on behalf of the Nigerian Senate during the church service.
Despite the tragic loss of their colleague, the Senate leadership’s actions—or lack thereof—have led to criticism from those who expected more solidarity and support. As of the time of writing, attempts to obtain comments from the Senate on the matter were unsuccessful.
Ubah’s sudden passing has left a void in the APC, and his burial, marked by controversy and accusations of neglect, underscores the apparent disconnect between the Senate leadership and the family of the late senator.