In September 2022, gunmen ambushed Senator Ubah’s convoy in Enugwu-Ukwu, Anambra State, while he was travelling to Nnewi. At least five people were killed, including two police officers. Ubah had survived because the car he was travelling in was bulletproof.
Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, the Senator representing Anambra South under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) died on Friday, July 26, 2024 in London. The business mogul and politician had departed Nigeria for the United Kingdom two days ago.
Here are 10 things to know about the late Senator and how his death:
1. Cause of Death
Reports have it that the senator died as a result of a cardiac arrest.
2. Business Ventures
The 52-year old senator who would have been 53 in September was, for many years, the CEO of downstream oil marketer, Capital Oil and owned Ifeanyi Ubah F.C., a football team in the Nigeria Premier League that was previously known as Gabros International Football Club.
3. Philanthropy
He ran a foundation named after him; Ifeanyi Ubah Foundation.
4. Media Ownership
Ubah is also the founder of The Authority Newspaper, a Nigerian daily.Â
5. Political Career
He served as a member of the Nigerian Senate, representing Anambra South under the APC platform.
6. Gubernatorial Ambitions
In 2014, Ifeanyi Ubah ran and lost at the 2014 Anambra gubernatorial election under the platform of the Labour Party. However, in 2019, he contested the seat of the Anambra South senatorial district under the platform of the Young Progressive Party (YPP) and won. Again, in 2021, he contested in the Anambra governorship election and came fourth in a contest won by Chukwuma Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).Â
7. Defection to APC
He later defected to the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) earlier this year and indicated interest in seeking the governorship of Anambra State in next year’s election.
8. Survived Assassination Attempt
In September 2022, gunmen ambushed Senator Ubah‘s convoy in Enugwu-Ukwu, Anambra State, while he was travelling to Nnewi. At least five people were killed, including two police officers. Ubah had survived because the car he was travelling in was bulletproof.
9. Legislative Achievements
Senator Ifeanyi Ubah reintroduced a version of the Southeast Development Commission bill to the Senate on October 4, 2023. The bill sought to create a commission that will concentrate on the development of Southeast Nigeria, a historically marginalised region that has faced numerous obstacles to economic, healthcare, and infrastructure advancement. The bill, which was initially denied assent by former President Muhammadu Buhari, was again passed but this time it emanated from the House of Representatives. It signed into law by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu barely a week ago. Ubah nonetheless expressed his heartfelt appreciation to the president for signing the bill into law.
10. Final Contributions
On Friday, July 26th, 2024, Ubah and his campaign council had donated a sum of N71 million to the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Anambra State, in order to strengthen the party’s influence and power in the state.