Dr. Chuba Williams Okadigbo was born on the 17th of December, 1941. He was a one-time President of the Senate of Nigeria. He was sometimes referred to as Oyi of Oyi in reference to his local government council area (Oyi) in Anambra state. He also held numerous political positions in the Nigeria government. He was a philosopher, an academic, a political scientist and writer. He was popular for his opposition of the ruling executive arm of the People’s Democratic Party of Nigeria, which was led by President Olusẹgun Ọbasanjọ from the year 1999 – 2007.
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Brief Biography of a Colossus
Born in Asaba, Delta State, Chuba is from Umueri, Ogbunike, a town in Oyi Local Government Area of Anambra State, Chuba graduated from The Catholic University of America in Washington D.C. with a Master’s in Political Science. He went further to acquire two doctorate degrees in Philosophy and Political Science in Washington, D.C.. Chuba Okadigbo became Assistant professor and later adjunct associate professor of philosophy at the University of the District of Columbia, adjunct assistant professor of politics at the Catholic University of America, and adjunct assistant professor of politics at Howard University. He accomplished all these by the age of 34 and in such a short time from 1973 to 1975.
Between 1975 and 1978, he became Director-General of the Center for Interdisciplinary and Political Studies, and a lecturer in philosophy at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka. He also became a professor of philosophy Bigard Memorial Senior Seminary [Roman Catholic Mission] in Enugu State.
In 1979, at the age of 37 he was appointed as the Political Adviser and strategist to then president, Shehu Shagari. In the third republic he belonged to the Peoples Front which joined the Social Democratic Party under the leadership of Shehu Musa Yar’Adua together with politicians such as Atiku Abubakar, Babagana Kingibe, Abdullahi Aliyu Sumaila, Sunday Afolabi and Rabiu Kwankwaso. He was a member of the People’s Democratic Movement (PDM) during the Sani Abacha transition program.
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At the dawn of the Fourth Republic, he was elected into the National Assembly as Senator representing Anambra North and was favorite to be the Senate President at the commencement of the democratic government. However, due to Chuba’s disharmony with the executive arm, Evan Enwerem was voted in by the senate with the support of the executive arm. However, he inevitably became President of the Nigerian Senate, after the impeachment of Evan Enwerem due to corrupt practices. On Friday, 2nd June 2000 the Police laid siege to his official residence in an operation to seize the Senate Mace from him but failed. Later on in 2000, he was falsely charged for corruption and impeached, officially demoting him from Senate President to a senator.
In 2002, Okadigbo decamped to the All Nigeria People’s Party from the People’s Democratic Party(PDP) to become Muhammadu Buhari’s running mate in the 2003 Presidential elections but lost to the People’s Democratic Party’s candidate, Olusẹgun Ọbasanjọ and his running mate, Atiku Abubakar by a landslide victory.
Death
A day after campaigning in Kano State, he died in Abuja due to breathing problems on September 25, 2003. Chuba Okadigbo is survived by his wife Margery, who also became a senator in 2015. She was elected into the 8th National Assembly representing Anambra North Senatorial District, a position Chuba held. Therefore, Chuba and Margery became the only married couple to have achieved this feat.
Source:
Wikipedia
Featured Image Source: Ogbunike
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