[1] 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.

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.

The other women were Rose Okoji Oko, Stella Oduah, Fatimat Raji Rasaki, Oluremi Tinubu and Binta Garba.

[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.