Uche Lilian Ekwunife// née Ogudebe born 12 January 1970), is a Nigerian politician who was recently a Senator representing the people of Anambra Central Senatorial District of Anambra State. She is known as one of the most active female senators in the House.[1]
Uche Ekwunife | |
|---|---|
 Senator Uche Ekwunife | |
| DG. Southeast Governors' Forum, Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria from Anambra Central Senatorial District | |
| Assumed office June 2015 | |
| Preceded by | Victor Umeh |
| Member of the Nigerian House of Representatives from Anambra | |
| In office June 2007 – June 2015 | |
| Constituency | Anaocha/Njikoka/Dunukofia |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Uche Lilian Ogudebe 12 December 1970 Igbo-Ukwu, Anambra, Nigeria |
| Political party | People's Democratic Party (PDP) |
| Spouse | Larry Ekwunife |
| Alma mater | University of Calabar (BSc) Nnamdi Azikiwe University (MBA) |
| Website | https://senucheekwunife.com |
Early life and education
editEkwunife was born on December 12, 1970, in Igbo-Ukwu, Anambra to Emmanuel and Lucy Ogudebe. Ekwunife attended University of Calabar and graduated with a bachelor's degree in Business and Accounting in 1993. She went on to earn her MBA degree from Nnamdi Azikiwe University in 2002.[2]
Ekwunife had a banking career, reaching the position of an area manager. She is married to businessman Chief Larry Ekwunife and they have children.[3]
Political career
editEkwunife contested for Anambra governorship election twice unsuccessfully.[4] She was elected as a lower house representative in 2007 for Anambra's Anaocha/Njikoka/Dunukofia constituency. She was one of 11 women elected in 2007 who were re-elected in 2011 when the lower house was nearly 95% male. Other women elected included Juliet Akano, Mulikat Adeola-Akande, Abike Dabiri, Nkiru Onyeagocha, Nnena Elendu-Ukeje, Olajumoke Okoya-Thomas, Beni Lar, Khadija Bukar Abba-Ibrahim, Elizabeth Ogbaga and Peace Uzoamaka Nnaji.[5]
In 2015, she was elected to the Nigerian Senate. She was one of the six women elected to the 8th National Assembly. The other women were Rose Okoji Oko, Stella Oduah, Fatimat Raji Rasaki, Oluremi Tinubu and Binta Garba.[6] Ekwunife had won the 2015 election after defecting to another political party. Because of this, her election was challenged at the election tribunal and in December 2015, the court declared her seat vacant.[7] Ekwunife was unable to get the support of former political party (the All Progressives Grand Alliance) for the bye-election and as a result, Victor Umeh was elected as Senator.[8]
She won the 2019 Anambra State senatorial elections under the platform of the People's Democratic Party representing Anambra central Senatorial District, Nigeria.[9][10] defeating her 2015 rival Victor Umeh who sought re-election.
References
edit- ^ "Anambra Governorship poll: PDP appoints Ekwunife as Campaign D-G". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. 2021-08-09. Retrieved 2022-02-21.
- ^ "Ekwunife Senator Uche Lilian". Biography Legacy for Research Foundation. 23 August 2017.
- ^ "About Uche Ekwunife - NASS". National Assembly of Nigeria.
- ^ "The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)". INEC WEBSITE.
- ^ "Women who will shape Seventh National Assembly". Vanguard News. 2011-06-06. Retrieved 2020-05-03.
- ^ The 6 female senators in 8th National Assembly, Naij,com, Retrieved 15 February 2016
- ^ "Ekwunife loses seat to Obiora". The Nation Newspaper. Retrieved July 6, 2024.
- ^ APC panel disqualifies “fair-weather” Ekwunife from contesting Senate rerun on party's platform, 21 January 2016, Festus Owete, Retrieved 15 February 2016
- ^ Ekwunife, Uche (February 28, 2019). "Finally,INEC Declares Ekwunife winner of Anambra central senatorial Election". This Day.
- ^ Ekwunife, Uche (November 9, 2018). "Nigeria Tribune".