Chuba Okadigbo

Dr. Chuba Wilberforce Okadigbo (December 17, 1941 – September 25, 2003), was the President of the Nigerian Senate. He was sometimes referred to as Oyi of Oyi after his hometown (Oyi), had held numerous political appointments in the Nigerian government. He was also known for being opposed to the ruling party of Nigeria, the People's Democratic Party, since the year 2000, which was led by President Olusẹgun Ọbasanjọ till this day.

Biography

After graduating in Washington, Chuba Okadigbo became Assistant professor, later adjunct associate professor of philosophy University of the District of Columbia, adjunct assistant professor of politics the Catholic University of America, and adjunct assistant professor of politics the Catholic University of America, and adjunct assistant professor of politics Howard University. He accomplished all these from 1973 to 1975.

Between 1975 and 1978, he became director-general center for inter-discilinary and political studies, and a lecturer in philosophy University of Nigeria, Nsukka. He also became a professor of philosophy Bigard Memorial Senior Seminary [Roman Catholic Mission] in Enugu State.

In 1979, he was appointed as a Special Adviser to then president, Shehu Shagari. At the dawn of the fourth republic, He was elected into the National Assembly (Anambra North) and he became President of the Nigerian Senate, after the impeachment of Evan Enwerem. However, in 2000 President Olusẹgun Ọbasanjọ of Nigeria charged him of corruption and impeached him, officially demoting him from Senate President to a mere senator.

In 2002 Okadigbo decamped to the All Nigeria Peoples Party to become Muhammadu Buhari's running mate in the 2003 elections, but lost to the People's Democratic Party candidates (Olusẹgun Ọbasanjọ and Atiku Abubakar) by a landslide victory. Because of possible mass rigging, his party later took the matter to the supreme court that year.

A day after campaigning in Kano State, He died in Abuja due to breathing problem; in September 25, 2003. Though, some people around Nigeria questioned whether or not the tear gas used during the rally was poisonous.

References

CHUBA OKADIGBO: A big tree has fallen (1941-2003) -