By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The unfortunate loss of several members of the National Assembly has marked the last one year.
The 10th Assembly has recorded the death of five members since its inauguration in June 2023.
While the House of Representatives lost four members, the Senate recorded the death of one member.
There are 469 members of the National Assembly, comprising 109 senators and 360 House of Representatives members.
National Assembly members who had died in the last one year are Ekene Adams, Olaide Akinyemi, Isa Dogonyaro, Abdulkadir Danbuga and Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, who died.
Their deaths have left a significant void in the legislative body and impacted the lives of their constituents.
Abdulkadir Danbuga
On October 11, 2023, a member, representing Isa/Sabon Birni Federal constituency of Sokoto State, on the platform of the All Progressives Congress, Abdulkadir Jelani Danbuga, passed on following a brief illness. Danbuga is survived by two wives, many children and grandchildren.
President Bola Tinubu, in a statement by his media aide, Ajuri Ngelale, said the lawmaker’s demise created a void in his immediate family and robbed the people of his constituency of quality and uncompromising representation in the House of Representatives.
“I offer my condolences to his family, constituents, and the people and government of Sokoto State. I also condole with the presiding officers of the House of Representatives and the entire membership over the devastating loss of an eminent colleague,” Tinubu was quoted as saying.
Isa Dogonyaro
Isa Dogonyaro, also a member of the House of Representatives, died on May 10, 2024, in Abuja after undisclosed illness.
Dogonyaro represented Garki/Babura Federal constituency of Jigawa State on the platform of the APC.
He was declared the lawful APC candidate for the House of Representatives in the 2023 general election after a court sacked Aminu Kanta who was declared the winner of the primary election in the constituency.
Until his death, Dogonyaro was the deputy chairperson of the House Committee on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria Control.
Ekene Adams
A member of the House of Representatives representing Chikun/Kajuru Federal Constituency of Kaduna State, on the platform of the Labour Party, Ekene Adams died on July 16, 2024, at 39 after battling ill health.
Until his demise, Adams was the House Committee on Sports chairman.
Before he was elected a federal lawmaker, Adams worked in the Sports sector. He was at different times the general manager of Kada City Football Club in Kaduna State and Remo Stars in Ogun State.
His demise was announced in a statement by the House spokesman, Akin Rotimi, who described him as “a dedicated public servant, passionate sports administrator, and kind philanthropist”.
Also, the National Chairman of LP, Julius Abure while mourning the death of Adams said the news of his death came to him as a rude shock.
Musiliudeen Akinremi
Still in July, a two-term member of the House of Representatives, Musiliudeen Akinremi, who was representing Ibadan North Federal Constituency, Oyo State, died in Abuja.
Akinremi, popularly called Jagaban, died at 51.
He served as the Chairman of the House Committee on Science Research Institutions.
Akinremi, a member of the APC, was elected in 2019 and won his re-election in 2023.
The lawmaker also reportedly died after battling a brief illness.
Senator Ifeanyi Ubah
The National Assembly was on Saturday thrown into mourning with the death of the lawmaker representing Anambra South, Senator Ifeanyi Ubah.
Ubah, who was the Chief Executive Officer of Capital Oil, was said to have died in London, the United Kingdom.
He would have been 53 on September 3.
Senate spokesperson, Yemi Adaramodu, confirmed Ubah’s death to our correspondent on Saturday.
He was the founder of a Nigerian daily newspaper, The Authority. He also founded the Ifeanyi Ubah FC, a football club in the Nigeria Premier League, following its purchase as Gabros International Football Club. He also founded a foundation named after him; Ifeanyi Ubah Foundation.
In 2014, Ubah contested the 2014 Anambra governorship election on the platform of the Labour Party but lost the race.
On February 24, 2019, Ubah was declared the winner of the Anambra South Senatorial elections on the platform of the Young Progressive Party but defected to APC.
Ubah was married to Uchenna Ubah, a Business Administration graduate of Ahmadu Bello University, with whom he had five children.
[Punch]