senator Ekwunife Lilian Uche Contact information

Uche Lilian Ekwunife (born as Ogudebe on January 12, 1970) is a prominent figure in Nigerian politics. She formerly served as a Senator for Anambra Central Senatorial District in Anambra State and holds the position of Director-General for the Southeast Governors' Forum. Known for her dynamic presence in the Senate, especially among female members.

Ekwunife was welcomed into the world in Igbo-Ukwu, Anambra, to parents Emmanuel and Lucy Ogudebe. She pursued higher education at the University of Calabar, earning a bachelor’s in Business and Accounting in 1993, followed by an MBA from Nnamdi Azikiwe University in 2002.

Before venturing into politics, Ekwunife built a career in banking, rising to the role of area manager. She is married to a businessman from the Nri community in Anaocha LGA, and together with Chief Larry Ekwunife, they have children.

In her political journey, Ekwunife twice ran for the Anambra governorship but did not succeed. She was first elected as a representative in 2007 for the Anaocha/Njikoka/Dunukofia constituency and re-elected in 2011. She was among the few women in a predominantly male lower house.

Elected to the Nigerian Senate in 2015, she was one of six women in the 8th National Assembly. However, her 2015 election victory was contested due to her party switching, leading to a vacant seat declaration. She failed to secure support from her former party for the subsequent bye-election, resulting in Victor Umeh’s election.

Despite past challenges, Ekwunife triumphed in the 2019 Anambra State senatorial elections as a candidate of the People’s Democratic Party, representing Anambra Central Senatorial District, defeating her previous rival Victor Umeh.