The Senate leadership under Godswill Akpabio has come under fire for allegedly neglecting its responsibilities toward the burial of Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, who died on July 27 in London.
Ubah, representing Anambra South Senatorial District, was laid to rest on Friday in his hometown, Otolo Nnewi, Anambra State, amid allegations of Senate-level apathy.
Sources disclosed that the Senate failed to form a committee to liaise with Ubah’s family or the national burial committee, as is customary for serving lawmakers.
“Despite the Senate’s valedictory session for him, they abandoned their late colleague. They didn’t contribute financially or send representatives to the burial committee,” a source revealed.
The funeral was attended by prominent figures such as Peter Obi, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, former Senate President Bukola Saraki, and Senator Victor Umeh.
However, only nine out of 109 senators showed up. Of these, seven were from the South-East, and only two came from outside the region — Senator Pam (Plateau) and Senator Agadaga (Bayelsa).
A source highlighted that even the Senate Minority Whip, Osita Ngwu, attended due to personal ties with Ubah.
“No senator from the Yoruba extraction, North-West, or North-East attended. The South-South and North-Central each had just one representative,” the source added.
Criticism intensified as insiders alleged Senate leaders discouraged attendance, citing unverified security concerns.
Additionally, the Senate President’s wife, who chairs the Senators’ Wives Forum, reportedly failed to extend condolences to Ubah’s widow.
“There was no Senate delegation at the burial, no financial contribution, and no speech during the funeral mass. It’s disgraceful,” lamented a family insider.
While the Senate honoured Ubah with a valedictory session on November 19, critics argue this display was performative. “Their actions reveal them as fair-weather friends,” a source concluded.
Efforts to obtain a response from Senate leadership were unsuccessful at the time of reporting.
