Senator Uche Lillian Ekwunife – What Others Wish For

It takes much more than mere desire to win an election especially when contesting for a seat in the Assembly, win the election and be loved by your constituents.

The Senator representing Anambra Central at the National Assembly, Dr. Uche Lillian Ekwunife has proven that the job of a lawmaker should not start and end at making laws but being connected to the constituents who elected one into office.

It is unfortunate that the local government system designed to bring government and governance close to the people exists almost only on paper in Nigeria and so the next arm of government people look up to for interaction is the legislature and Senator Ekwunife has not been found wanting in that regard.

We have a senator who started her political journey in 2007 where she contested and won at the first instance, a seat in the Federal House of Representatives representing Anaocha, Njikoka and Dunukofia and she made a bold statement as her impact was felt across these 3 local governments she represented. No wonder why she was re-elected in 2011.

After serving two terms at the House of Representatives, she longed to use her experience garnered in the House to attract more dividends for people of Anambra Central and so she contested for the Senate and won.

That victory was however overturned by the court in November 2015. She was not deterred as people of Anambra Central stood by her and when she declared her intention to run again in 2019, she got massive support across board and when the election came, she won overwhelmingly in the 7 local governments that make up Anambra Central – Anaocha, Awka North, Awka South, Dunukofia, Idemili North, Idemili South, and Njikoka. A victory that was dubbed ‘7 over 7’.

Iyom Ekwunife currently serves in the 9th Senate and her style of leadership leaves one wondering what previous senators who represented the zone had been doing.

Today, as a ranking senator, it is only proper for people of Anambra Central to re-elect the amazon who has distinguished herself and proven that with the little she has, she can turn things around.

Experience matters in governance and Senator Ekwunife possesses that in abundance same as connections. She knows the right doors to knock on and the feet to step on to make our voices heard.

Let’s not throw away this opportunity. Let’s make a bold statement come February 23 as we’ve always done.

A vote for someone else will throw us back many years. Let us consolidate on the gains achieved thus far.

Below are Senator Uche Ekwunife’s antecedents in the National Assembly since 2007

June 2007 – Elected into the Federal House of Representatives

Chairperson, House Committee on Environment (2011-2015)

Deputy Chairman House Committee on Public Accounts (2007-2011)

Leader, Anambra State Caucus, House of Representatives (2011-2015)

Member, Gas Resources Committee

Member, Public Procurement

Member, Rural Development Committee

Member, Women in Parliament

Member, FCT

Member Electoral Matters Committee

Member, Ad Hoc Committee on Petroleum Industry Bill

Member, House Services

Member, Presidential Committee on Flood Relief and Rehabilitation (PCFRR)

Member representing Anambra State in the House of Representatives Constitutional Amendment Committee (2011-2014)

Best Honourable Member, House of representatives (2008)

Legislative Excellence Award (2009)

June 2015 – Elected into the Senate

Chairman, Senate Committee on Petroleum Downstream (Only female yet and first Southerner)

Member, Committee on Legislative Agenda

Member, Committee on Works

Member, Committee on Rules and Business

Member, Committee on Ethics, Privileges and Public Petitions

Presently

Chairperson, senate committee on Science, Technology and Innovation

Member, Public Procurement Committee

Member, Airforce Committee

Member, Upstream Petroleum Committee

Member, Public account Committee

Member, Ethics and Privileges Committee

Member, Banking, Insurance and other Financial Institutions Committee

Member, Finance Committee

Member, Senate Services Committee

Member, Special Duties Committee

Member, Police affairs Committee

Member, Youths and Sports Development Committee

Member, Women Affairs Committee