Who takes over from Late Sen. Ubah?
The political stage is already besieged with ambitious characters of different dimensions. The gong is sounding louder and louder especially in the camp of Anambra south politicians. Tension has reached feverish levels, prompting the contestants to be too busy, thinking, perspiring and gesticulating. Fear of failure is not only griping some, but the strength of grasp is shivering, sending across emotions and agitations. The curiosity to win this vacant senatorial seat has thrown out bigwigs in All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), All Progressive Congress (APC), People’s Democratic party ( PDP), Labour Party, Africa Democratic Congress (ADC) just to name them, into political burnfire. In APGA alone, not less than 10 senatorial aspirants emerged, visiting the kingmakers, witch-doctors, and juggernauts in our society. The exercise has been fierce, more of a battle, holding some of them at the jugular. It is no longer juicy, sweet, rather political somersault lies ahead, in fact it is beyond mere contest but moral, spiritual war, mainly within the APGA umbrella. It was a heated dispute, or call it dangerous struggle that defied Governor Charles Soludo,s solution. Every APGA millionaire with dignified address wants to be a senator, and the governor knew the negative implications, especially on his second term bid. The APC produced Azuka Okwuosa as candidate after the peaceful withdrawal of Obinna Uzor and Dozie Ikedife. As at last count, not less than 6 notable candidates from various political parties are contesting for this coveted vacant seat.
But the big question is this: Who among these candidates has the valor and bravado, not just winning the election, but effectively filling the big shoe Ifeanyi Ubah left behind. Anambra south senatorial seat is too expensive, too costly to occupy. The zone boasts of timbre and calibre, powerful politicians with Aso-Rock connections, resourceful individuals that turn numbers into figures are here, those that control Anambra business and political climate are within, the home of progenitors, graduators and godfathers!
Who takes over? Who wins the seat? Who has the capacity to do what Sen. Ifeanyi Ubah did? Who has the tenacity to swim this awful political ocean full of “Sharks” and ” Whales?” Who has the connection to walk straight to Aso-Rock and open the Presidential door? Who among them can be trusted to serve as chairman of the committee on Downstream oil, the most lucrative in all? Who among them can fly in an aircraft from the Southeast, Southsouth, Southwest, Northern region, and still keep an appointment in Switzerland the same day? Who among these candidates has such courage and energy?
Let me, at this juncture, open the performance wardrobe of Ifeanyi Ubah, the Otolo Nnewi born senator that served and died in active service on Friday July 26th, 2024 in the United Kingdom. Sen. Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah hails from Umuanuka Otolo Nnewi, Anambra state. But he was born and brought up at Lugbe on September 3, 1971. He had a difficult upbringing because of the poor financial background of his parents, they could not afford his education and material needs. Consequently, he dropped out of Premier academy league, Abuja, and took up trading to earn a living. However, his quest for knowledge and self- improvement on education had remained strong, prompting him to attend various business schools and seminars in Nigeria and abroad— to sharpen his leadership and business management skills.
He eventually established a capital Oil and Gas company in 2001, and showed its total commitment and growth. Through his visionary drive, sound leadership and astute business acumen, Capital Oil and Gas became one of Nigeria’s most successful companies, with a reputation for excellence and professionalism. Within 6 years, 2003-2009, he took Capital Oil and Gas to a vantage position of becoming a dominant player in the downstream sector of oil and gas in Nigeria. The company with motivated and dedicated workforce invested massively on various oil sectors namely, a jetty capable of berthing 4 shuttle vessels simultaneously, a large tank farm with over 190 million liters storage capacity, 32 arm loading gantry capable of discharging up to 55 million liters of petroleum products which exceeds the nation,s daily consumption need, Fleet of over 400 trucks for distribution of petroleum products nationwide.
That was not all, his burning desire to empower the youths and bring the needed development to Anambra State forced him into the construction of multi-million naira games and industrial village crammed with facilities such as two football stadia industrial park, Hospital, Sports academy, Technology hub, 5- star hotel, conference center, women and youth development center, Indoor sports hall, shopping malls, Residential Estates, Corporate office complex, Linguistics school, police post, Fire service station and other basic life amenities. In addition to his successful business empire, he had a philanthropic organisation called Ifeanyi Ubah Foundation, which promotes education, health care, and youth empowerment in Nigeria. He was an accomplished politician who made indelible mark in the annals of history, using an unknown political party, Young Progressive Party ( YPP) to win Anambra south senatorial seat twice, and became the chairman of committee on Downstream oil on the Senate. A man of humble beginning, amiable personality at home due to massive empowerment of indigent citizens — the widows, orphans, Catholic and Anglican churches, as well as the Pentecostal churches. In his native Umuanuka alone, Sen. Ubah built over 80 houses for the homeless, lifted the oppressed, and rebuild many churches including the Nnewi Catholic cathedral in Anambra state.
He also bought expensive keeps for the traditional rulers, saved and delivered Igbo importers from government strangulation, offered lifetime opportunities to the jobless Igbo youths languishing in various countries abroad, sponsored sports men and women to Olympic games and World cup Fiesta. He touched many lives, revived souls, and as a benefactor he loves giving out lavishly without thinking of being appreciated. His benevolent spirit cum outstanding leadership qualities has not gone unnoticed, as he has received several awards and medals for his contributions to humanity, and Nigerian economy in particular. He is known for his passion for creating job opportunities and empowering the youth, and significant contributions to Nigerian business growth. His vision and excellent performance in the upper chamber gave him the name– Prince of the Senate, his unwavering respect as People’s voice had remained unequivocal.
His efforts and struggle to change the political narrative in Anambra state was not in vain. With his political doggedness and willpower, the local government autonomy bill in Nigeria was not only passed in the Senate but favourably delivered at the Supreme court of Nigeria. Ifeany Ubah was indeed a great conqueror, a bulldozer and political redeemer. Many people misunderstood his courage, and saw his bravery as foolish and selfish youthful exuberance.
Therefore, my humble questions still remain: Who takes over? Who will inherit this audacious burden? Who does the cap fit in? These questions would continue to linger on until empirical evidence is seen. Late Sen. Patrick Ifeanyi Ubah’s business and political legacy can only be erased when a worthy successor performs within or beyond the aforementioned attributes. We are waiting and watching!
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