Ifeanyi Ubah, the senator representing Anambra South in the National Assembly, has died.
Senator Ubah reportedly left Nigeria for the United Kingdom two days ago.
According to a close family member, he died in a UK hospital while undergoing surgery. He would have turned 53 on September 3.
Last year, Ubah defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) from the Young Progressives Party.
Later, the Young Progressive Party (YPP) re-elected him to the 10th Senate. The late Senator was expected to run for governor of Anambra State on the APC ticket. According to a source, he donated money to the Anambra APC two days ago.
The CEO of Capital Oil survived an assassination attempt in September 2022.
His demise came barely a few days after the President-General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, died.
Meanwhile, tributes have begun to flood in following the lawmaker’s death. In a statement, the Senate stated that Ubah was an excellent leader.
“Senator Uba was a remarkable leader, a dedicated public servant, and an unwavering advocate for his citizens. His premature departure is a tremendous loss to the Senate, his community, and the nation as a whole,” Senate spokesperson Yemi Adaramodu said in a statement.
“Throughout his time in the Senate, Senator Uba displayed an unflinching commitment to the advancement and development of Anambra South and Nigeria as a whole. He was a beacon of optimism, an advocate for economic empowerment, and a staunch backer of legislative reforms aimed at bettering the lives of all Nigerians.”
President Bola Tinubu also expressed condolences to Ubah’s family and the Senate over his passing, describing it as a “sad loss.”
“President Tinubu commiserates with the late Senator’s friends and colleagues, the National Assembly, and the government and people of Anambra State on this tragic loss,” Tinubu’s spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale, said.
“The President prays for the soul of the late congressman, as well as for strength and comfort for his family.”