By-Election: Coalition Tasks Political Parties On Late Sen Ubah’s Replacement

• Demands equity, backs candidates from Nnewi

BY ONYEKACHUKWU IBEZIM – Ahead of preparations by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct by-election in the Anambra South Senatorial Zone, the Coalition of Anambra South Progressives (CASP) has urged political parties to field candidates from Nnewi for the sake of equity and fairness.

The by-election is to replace late Senator Ifeanyi Ubah who died of a cardiac arrest in London, United Kingdom, on 27th July 2024, at age 52.

The Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio had three weeks ago declared Ubah’s seat vacant, thereby paving the way for INEC to conduct a by-election.

Speaking with journalists in Awka, the Anambra State capital on Monday, Leader of the Coalition, Mr. Obi Chukwuemeka, said picking candidates exclusively from Nnewi would be a gesture of sympathy toward the people who lost their leader at the peak of his political career.

Chukwuemeka, an APC member, was accompanied by members of the coalition representing the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP), and All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) among others.

The Coalition stated thus; “We are here to advocate for fundamental democratic principles—equity and fairness.

“The Anambra South Senatorial District has been without representation in the National Assembly due to the unfortunate passing of Senator Ifeanyi Ubah. This has left our people without a voice in the nation’s highest legislative body.”

While also urging INEC to promptly schedule the by-election, given that the constitution does not support leaving a constituency without representation for an extended period, the Coalition said; “It has been over seven months since Senator Ubah’s passing, and Anambra South has been denied the right to participate in governance at the national level.

“We urge INEC to conduct a credible by-election without further delay”.

Specifically, the Coalition challenged all political parties in the State to field candidates from Nnewi North Local Government Area, maintaining that such arrangement would uphold fairness and provide closure for the people.

According to the group; “This is not just about political expediency; it is about justice and equity. By fielding candidates from Nnewi, political parties will show solidarity with the people of Nnewi North, whose son died in active service.

“Political parties should prioritize empathy over political calculations, and there is no better opportunity to do so than in the upcoming by-election”.

Recalling that in 2023, many voters supported Senator Ubah based on the principle that Nnewi North deserved a second term, the Coalition Leader said; “We must continue to respect that sentiment to maintain political stability within Anambra South.

“Infrastructure in Anambra South is deteriorating, and our youths and women lack empowerment opportunities. Without a representative in the Senate, we have no access to what is due to us”.

Furthermore, the Coalition tasked the electoral umpire, INEC, to ensure the by-election is conducted in a transparent manner, with all the candidates provided a level playing field.

While stressing the urgency of conducting the by-election, the group noted that the 2025 federal budget has already been passed without Anambra South’s input.

“If this delay continues, we will also be excluded from the 2026 budget process. INEC must act swiftly to end this abandonment of Anambra South,” the coalition said.

Late Senator Ubah, who hailed from Nnewi, was elected on the platform of the Young Progressives Party (YPP) and later joined the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Before his passage, the oil magnate and billionaire businessman was preparing to battle the incumbent Governor, Professor Chukwuma Solodu and other candidates in the November 8, 2025, governorship election in Anambra State.

In 2014, Ubah lost at the 2014 Anambra gubernatorial election which he contested on the Labour Party (LP) platform

Born on 3rd September 1971, Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah served as the Senator representing Anambra South senatorial district from 2019 until his death on 27 July 2024.

He was the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Capital Oil (CCO) founded in 2001 and also ran a foundation named after him; “Ifeanyi Ubah Foundation”.