The Senate has refuted claims that it failed to honour its late member, Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, during his burial rites.
Some media reports claimed that the lawmakers rejected their colleagues by not attending the burial ceremony in his hometown in Nnewi in Anambra State.
Photos emerging from the burial ceremony captured some lawmakers like the Minority Whip, Osita Ngwu, former Minority leader, Enyinnaya Abaribe; Osita Izunaso, and Tony Nwoye, amongst others.
In a statement issued by the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Media and Publicity, Yemi Adaramodu, the Senate described the reports as “untrue and misleading.”
He stated, “Contrary to insinuations from some misinformed quarters, the Senate accorded Senator Ubah all the honors and rites befitting a sitting member before his burial in Nnewi on Friday.”
Adaramodu said for the first time in the history of the National Assembly, an entire legislative day was dedicated to paying tributes to a departed colleague.
“His seat was adorned with the national flag, a significant honour, and recognition of his contributions to the Senate and the people he represented,” the statement read.
He added that the Senate had been fully supportive of the late senator’s family and community since the news of his death broke.
“The Senate commiserated with the people and government of Anambra State over his passing,” he noted.
Recalling the Senate’s efforts, Adaramodu stated that the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, immediately led a high-powered delegation of principal officers and senators to the Lagos residence of the late Ubah to console his wife and children.
Additionally, Adaramodu noted that nearly 100 senators attended a valedictory session held in his honor, during which Vice President Kashim Shettima and other lawmakers paid tributes to Ubah’s legacy as a philanthropist, businessman, and politician.
“These actions clearly demonstrate the Senate’s respect and appreciation for Senator Ubah’s contributions.
A substantial number of senators were also present at his burial in Nnewi, and the Senate had earlier reached out to the family,” Adaramodu emphasised.
He dismissed claims of neglect as baseless, stating, “The suggestion that the Senate failed in its role is preposterous.
“Those behind such ill-informed narratives perhaps expected a showy display instead of dignified mourning for our colleague’s untimely demise.”
The Senate reaffirmed its commitment to honoring the memory of Ubah while calling on the public to disregard misleading reports.