Uche Ekwunife
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 |
| Party | People's Democratic Party (PDP) |
| Spouse | Larry Ekwunife |
| Alma mater | University of Calabar (BSc) Nnamdi Azikiwe University (MBA) |
| Website | https://senucheekwunife.com |
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]
Early life and education
Ekwunife 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
Ekwunife 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, Nkeiruka Onyejeocha, 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.
In late 2025, she was the Deputy Governorship Candidate of the All Progressives Congress at the Anambra Gubernatorial Election.[11] However, questions have been raised about her academic qualifications for the post.[12][13] The election was won by the incumbent governor, Chukwuma Soludo.[14][15]
References
- ^ "Anambra Governorship poll: PDP appoints Ekwunife as Campaign D-G". The Guardian. 2021-08-09. Retrieved 2022-02-21.
- ^ "Ekwunife Senator Uche Lilian". Biography Legacy for Research Foundation. 2017-08-23. Retrieved 2024-08-29.
- ^ "About Uche Ekwunife - NASS". National Assembly of Nigeria. Retrieved 2024-08-29.
- ^ "The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC)". INEC WEBSITE. Retrieved 2024-08-29.
- ^ "Women who will shape Seventh National Assembly". Vanguard. 2011-06-06. Retrieved 2020-05-03.
- ^ The 6 female senators in 8th National Assembly, Naij.com, Retrieved 2016-02-15.
- ^ "Ekwunife loses seat to Obiora". The Nation. Retrieved 2024-07-06.
- ^ Owete, Festus (2016-01-21). "APC panel disqualifies "fair-weather" Ekwunife from contesting Senate rerun on party's platform". Premium Times. Retrieved 2016-02-15.
- ^ Eleke, David-Chyddy (2019-02-28). "Finally, INEC Declares Ekwunife winner of Anambra central senatorial Election". This Day. Retrieved 2024-08-29.
- ^ "Ekwunife wins Anambra Central Senatorial seat". The Nation. 2015-05-30. Retrieved 2024-08-29.
- ^ "Anambra Community Endorses APC Deputy Governorship Candidate Senator Ekwunife". Voice of Nigeria. June 15, 2025. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
- ^ Nwankwo, Ebuka (September 13, 2025). "Uche Ekwunife's questionable doctorate could lead to the disqualification of Nicholas Ukachukwu". The Cable. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
- ^ "Certificate Saga Escalates as Senator Uche Ekwunife Fires Back at Governor Soludo". Grass Root Reporters. 14 September 2025. Retrieved September 22, 2025.
- ^ Onwuka, Ezinwanne (November 12, 2025). "Ekwunife Congratulates Soludo, Thanks Supporters After Anambra Governorship Election". West African Pilot News. Retrieved November 13, 2025.
- ^ Ujumadu, Vincent (November 10, 2025). "Anambra election: APC deputy candidate, Ekwunife congratulates Soludo". Vanguard NGR. Retrieved November 13, 2025.