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Chuba Okadigbo: Remembering The Ex Senate President "Oyi Of Oyi" (1941 - 2003) - Politics - Nairaland

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Chuba Okadigbo: Remembering The Ex Senate President "Oyi Of Oyi" (1941 - 2003) by fergie001: 7:49am On Sep 25, 2019
"When one door closes, another opens". A man may rise or fall. Otherwise, he is static and this can be very boring. When you rise, try to hang in there but never abandon principles. When you fall, stand up, dust up, and move."
(Okadigbo speaking to Youths in Umuahia, July 2001)

Born Chuba Wilberforce Okadigbo on the 17th of December 1941 in Asaba, The Oyi of Oyi hails from Umueri, Ogbunnike in Oyi Local Government Area of Anambra State.
He obtained a Diploma in Trade Economics from the Blankenburg College of Technology, Germany in 1963, and proceeded to the Karl Marx Universitaet, Germany and then the Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C., USA acquiring the Master der Philosophie and Master of Arts in Philosophy degrees in 1967 and 1972 respectively.

TEACHING EXPERIENCE
After obtaining two doctorate degrees in Philosophy and Political Science from Washington D.C., he became:

Assistant professor, later adjunct associate professor of philosophy University of the District of Columbia Washington D.C., 1973-75.

Adjunct assistant professor of politics the Catholic University of America, Washington D.C., U.S.A, 1973-75.

Adjunct assistant professor of politics Howard University, Washington D.C., U.S.A, 1974-75.

Director-General, Centre for Inter-disciplinary and political studies, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, 1975-1978.

Professor of philosophy Bigard Memorial Senior Seminary [Roman Catholic Mission]. Enugu, Nigeria, 1975-77.

Academic visitor and research scholar, London School of Economics and Political Science, Department of Government. London, United Kingdom, 1984-1987.

Aged 37, then President Shehu Shagari appointed him Political Adviser. He was the schemer cum key negotiator who did secure the return of Biafran leader, Dim Odumegwu Ojukwu from exile.

Known as a political strategist and an unrelenting idealist, he was the bridge between the transited old guard of the Awolowos and Azikiwes to the haughty, naughty and impatient new guard.

A philosopher and rhetorician par excellence, he is not one to shy away from topical and intellectual discourses, even though he could be disputatious atimes earning him plaudits and foes alike.

He was elected President of the Senate after the removal of Evan Enwerem in 2000, a position he was to relinquish almost as soon as he got it after "drawing the ire" of the Obasanjo-led Executive arm. An unapologetic critic of President Olusegun Obasanjo, he defected to the opposition All Nigerian Peoples Party as Vice-Presidential candidate to former dictator, rtd.Gen.Muhammadu Buhari.

The subsequent elections in 2003 saw his party, the ANPP lose to the incumbent PDP by a wide margin and was been challenged in the Courts when he passed on that black Thursday. Adjudged to have a long history with respiratory issues, the venue of their rally was allegedly tear-gas(ed) by policemen loyal to IGP Tafa Balogun. His breathing problems worsened and then he died the following day.

Arguably, Igbo's most flamboyant politician post-Abacha era, the highlights of his misadventures was his oft-cited "rantings of an ant" response to Zik and the latter's subsequent prophetic juice (curse), especially in a region where elders words are venerated. Perhaps, a little tact and discipline could have sufficed.

Nonetheless, love him or hate him, he bestrode our political landscape like a colossus and will always be remembered.

On this day 25th September 2003, the Oyi of Oyi passed on. He was survived by his wife, Sen. Margery Okadigbo, children, family, and a network of friends and protégés.

Philosopher, wordsmith, traditionalist, teacher, scholar, Continue to rest, Ikenga Omamballa.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chuba_Okadigbo

20 Likes 3 Shares

Re: Chuba Okadigbo: Remembering The Ex Senate President "Oyi Of Oyi" (1941 - 2003) by helinues: 7:56am On Sep 25, 2019
Rest on sir

6 Likes

Re: Chuba Okadigbo: Remembering The Ex Senate President "Oyi Of Oyi" (1941 - 2003) by technuel: 7:57am On Sep 25, 2019
Chuba Okadigbo one of the outstanding and outspoken Legislators from the Land of the rising sun.

39 Likes 1 Share

Re: Chuba Okadigbo: Remembering The Ex Senate President "Oyi Of Oyi" (1941 - 2003) by Tolexander: 7:58am On Sep 25, 2019
RIP

Omo-Agege’s mentor

4 Likes

Re: Chuba Okadigbo: Remembering The Ex Senate President "Oyi Of Oyi" (1941 - 2003) by agwom(m): 8:00am On Sep 25, 2019
Great man

3 Likes 1 Share

Re: Chuba Okadigbo: Remembering The Ex Senate President "Oyi Of Oyi" (1941 - 2003) by Nobody: 8:28am On Sep 25, 2019
He was a great man with charisma.
I'm yet to understand his history with Buhari and why the latter chose him as running mate in that presidential election.

5 Likes 1 Share

Re: Chuba Okadigbo: Remembering The Ex Senate President "Oyi Of Oyi" (1941 - 2003) by fergie001: 9:05am On Sep 25, 2019
J111333:
He was a great man with charisma.
I'm yet to understand his history with Buhari and why the latter chose him as running mate in that presidential election.
No real history as recorded though, except that he was an ardent critic of OBJ until death.
Secondly, may be for religious and regional balancing.

3 Likes

Re: Chuba Okadigbo: Remembering The Ex Senate President "Oyi Of Oyi" (1941 - 2003) by chriskosherbal(m): 9:10am On Sep 25, 2019
If I don't remember him for anything I remember him for his Quote on 'religion, tribe and political leanings' what a quote I must confess.

R.l.P

14 Likes 1 Share

Re: Chuba Okadigbo: Remembering The Ex Senate President "Oyi Of Oyi" (1941 - 2003) by gwafaeziokwu: 9:15am On Sep 25, 2019
The Oyi of Oyi. The real man. This guy carried the national assembly mace to his home and declared to the security team Obasanjo sent to retrieve it that "the mace is the symbol of authority of the national assembly, any where the mace is that is where the national assembly is located" the security men weak. Mind you Obasanjo wanted a rubber stamp legistlation reason there were more than different five Senate presidents in his tenure. He use frivolous accusations of corruption and graft to intimidate everyone, but some like Chuba Okadigbo has iron balls.

When Nigeria political space was filled with men and women with convinction. Then judiciary were highly independent and landmark jugdements were the other of the day. Politics was exciting to follow because everyone exercise his right and freedom to show his pedigree. Obasanjo was a machieveli but he met his match in Atiku, Ken Nnamani etc. Now hunger has weaken everybody. The atmosphere in Nigeria screams OPPRESSION.

85 Likes 9 Shares

Re: Chuba Okadigbo: Remembering The Ex Senate President "Oyi Of Oyi" (1941 - 2003) by Nobody: 9:46am On Sep 25, 2019
Alright and Okay.
Re: Chuba Okadigbo: Remembering The Ex Senate President "Oyi Of Oyi" (1941 - 2003) by efighter: 9:52am On Sep 25, 2019
Killed by Obasanjo using tear gas

17 Likes 3 Shares

Re: Chuba Okadigbo: Remembering The Ex Senate President "Oyi Of Oyi" (1941 - 2003) by slawomir: 12:12pm On Sep 25, 2019
Okay
Re: Chuba Okadigbo: Remembering The Ex Senate President "Oyi Of Oyi" (1941 - 2003) by IamR: 12:12pm On Sep 25, 2019
RIP Dr. Chuba Okadigbo.

8 Likes 1 Share

Re: Chuba Okadigbo: Remembering The Ex Senate President "Oyi Of Oyi" (1941 - 2003) by sketchlyrics(m): 12:14pm On Sep 25, 2019
God punish you okadigbo
Re: Chuba Okadigbo: Remembering The Ex Senate President "Oyi Of Oyi" (1941 - 2003) by VAQAXY: 12:14pm On Sep 25, 2019
Oyi of Oyi. The best Senate president in the history of Nigeria

19 Likes

Re: Chuba Okadigbo: Remembering The Ex Senate President "Oyi Of Oyi" (1941 - 2003) by lyriclekidd(m): 12:15pm On Sep 25, 2019
Okay
Re: Chuba Okadigbo: Remembering The Ex Senate President "Oyi Of Oyi" (1941 - 2003) by dermmy(m): 12:15pm On Sep 25, 2019
Rest on sir

1 Like

Re: Chuba Okadigbo: Remembering The Ex Senate President "Oyi Of Oyi" (1941 - 2003) by Wonyo: 12:15pm On Sep 25, 2019
Oyi Oyi oooooo

3 Likes

Re: Chuba Okadigbo: Remembering The Ex Senate President "Oyi Of Oyi" (1941 - 2003) by adetes: 12:16pm On Sep 25, 2019
Used millions of naira to buy ram for ileya, took maize to his house. RIP

3 Likes

Re: Chuba Okadigbo: Remembering The Ex Senate President "Oyi Of Oyi" (1941 - 2003) by macanthony25(m): 12:16pm On Sep 25, 2019
Rochas could have been next Okadigbo,but love for money and power cost him his reputation,his oratory and outspoken skill are for scamming Imolites.

31 Likes

Re: Chuba Okadigbo: Remembering The Ex Senate President "Oyi Of Oyi" (1941 - 2003) by Sleevia: 12:16pm On Sep 25, 2019
fergie001:
"When one door closes, another opens". A man may rise or fall. Otherwise, he is static and this can be very boring. When you rise, try to hang in there but never abandon principles. When you fall, stand up, dust up, and move."
(Okadigbo speaking to Youths in Umuahia, July 2001)

Born Chuba Wilberforce Okadigbo on the 17th of December 1941 in Asaba, The Oyi of Oyi hails from Umueri, Ogbunnike in Oyi Local Government Area of Anambra State.
He obtained a Diploma in Trade Economics from the Blankenburg College of Technology, Germany in 1963, and proceeded to the Karl Marx Universitaet, Germany and then the Catholic University of America, Washington, D.C., USA acquiring the Master der Philosophie and Master of Arts in Philosophy degrees in 1967 and 1972 respectively.

TEACHING EXPERIENCE
After obtaining two doctorate degrees in Philosophy and Political Science from Washington D.C., he became:

Assistant professor, later adjunct associate professor of philosophy University of the District of Columbia Washington D.C., 1973-75.

Adjunct assistant professor of politics the Catholic University of America, Washington D.C., U.S.A, 1973-75.

Adjunct assistant professor of politics Howard University, Washington D.C., U.S.A, 1974-75.

Director-General, Centre for Inter-disciplinary and political studies, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, 1975-1978.

Professor of philosophy Bigard Memorial Senior Seminary [Roman Catholic Mission]. Enugu, Nigeria, 1975-77.

Academic visitor and research scholar, London School of Economics and Political Science, Department of Government. London, United Kingdom, 1984-1987.

Aged 37, then President Shehu Shagari appointed him Political Adviser. He was the schemer cum key negotiator who did secure the return of Biafran leader, Dim Odumegwu Ojukwu from exile.

Known as a political strategist and an unrelenting idealist, he was the bridge between the transited old guard of the Awolowos and Azikiwes to the haughty, naughty and impatient new guard.

A philosopher and rhetorician par excellence, he is not one to shy away from topical and intellectual discourses, even though he could be disputatious atimes earning him plaudits and foes alike.

He was elected President of the Senate after the removal of Evan Enwerem in 2000, a position he was to relinquish almost as soon as he got it after "drawing the ire" of the Obasanjo-led Executive arm. An unapologetic critic of President Olusegun Obasanjo, he defected to the opposition All Nigerian Peoples Party as Vice-Presidential candidate to former dictator, rtd.Gen.Muhammadu Buhari.

The subsequent elections in 2003 saw his party, the ANPP lose to the incumbent PDP by a wide margin and was been challenged in the Courts when he passed on that black Thursday. Adjudged to have a long history with respiratory issues, the venue of their rally was allegedly tear-gas(ed) by policemen loyal to IGP Tafa Balogun. His breathing problems worsened and then he died the following day.

Arguably, Igbo's most flamboyant politician post-Abacha era, the highlights of his misadventures was his oft-cited "rantings of an ant" response to Zik and the latter's subsequent prophetic juice (curse), especially in a region where elders words are venerated. Perhaps, a little tact and discipline could have sufficed.

Nonetheless, love him or hate him, he bestrode our political landscape like a colossus and will always be remembered.

On this day 25th September 2003, the Oyi of Oyi passed on. He was survived by his wife, Sen. Margery Okadigbo, children, family, and a network of friends and protégés.

Philosopher, wordsmith, traditionalist, teacher, scholar, Continue to rest, Ikenga Omamballa.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chuba_Okadigbo
Never knew he was was from my LGA... Son of Oyi

1 Like

Re: Chuba Okadigbo: Remembering The Ex Senate President "Oyi Of Oyi" (1941 - 2003) by OmoManU: 12:17pm On Sep 25, 2019
That’s a real man. Okadigbo!! Don’t think there’s currently any top politician from the east of the niger with the kind of audacity of Okadigbo....

20 Likes 1 Share

Re: Chuba Okadigbo: Remembering The Ex Senate President "Oyi Of Oyi" (1941 - 2003) by IamaNigerianGuy(m): 12:18pm On Sep 25, 2019
fergie001:

No real history as recorded though, except that he was an ardent critic of OBJ until death.
Secondly, may be for religious and regional balancing.

Chuba Okadigbo proposed the concept that led to what we now know as the six geopolitical zones in Nigeria. He was the foremost champion of legislative independence. He masterminded the return of Ojukwu from exile and altered the political calculus in 1983. He wrote political books still in use today.

Yet you say he has 'no real history'

28 Likes 1 Share

Re: Chuba Okadigbo: Remembering The Ex Senate President "Oyi Of Oyi" (1941 - 2003) by happney65: 12:19pm On Sep 25, 2019
Tolexander:
RIP

Omo-Agege’s mentor

I remember him vividly..He took the mace home..Very crazy Man..

He was Senate president under Obsanjo and removed Old Man Evan's Ewerem with his very funny attitude.. Himself and Evan's have passed on now..

Obasanjo's exploits in the economy were spoilt by his rude attitude and election rigging most especially against the house...All the same he is still a great fellow anyday, anytime

May his soul rest in peace

10 Likes

Re: Chuba Okadigbo: Remembering The Ex Senate President "Oyi Of Oyi" (1941 - 2003) by fergie001: 12:19pm On Sep 25, 2019
Sleevia:

Never knew he was was from my LGA... Son of Oyi
He indeed was.

1 Like

Re: Chuba Okadigbo: Remembering The Ex Senate President "Oyi Of Oyi" (1941 - 2003) by fergie001: 12:20pm On Sep 25, 2019
IamaNigerianGuy:


China Okadigbo proposed the concept that led to what we now know as the six geopolitical zones in Nigeria. He was the foremost champion of legislative independence. He masterminded the return of Ojukwu from exile and altered the political calculus in 1983. He wrote political books still in use today.

Yet you say he has 'no real history'
Imagine.......I was reacting to the young man's question if there was any history between buhari and Okadigbo before he was appointed VP-hopeful for anpp.

7 Likes

Re: Chuba Okadigbo: Remembering The Ex Senate President "Oyi Of Oyi" (1941 - 2003) by Elkiko(m): 12:20pm On Sep 25, 2019
The man himself... That shooked OBJ... And died.... RIP
Re: Chuba Okadigbo: Remembering The Ex Senate President "Oyi Of Oyi" (1941 - 2003) by GavelSlam: 12:22pm On Sep 25, 2019
Could easily have been a Nigerian president.

Oh well...
Re: Chuba Okadigbo: Remembering The Ex Senate President "Oyi Of Oyi" (1941 - 2003) by TOPCRUISE(m): 12:28pm On Sep 25, 2019
The man obasanjo and co ordered to be teargassed for campaigning against him in Kano

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