One-time Anambra Governor, Chinwoke Mbadinuju, bids the world farewell

A former Governor of Anambra State, Dr Chinwoke Mbadinuju, a.k.a Odera is dead.

He passed on peacefully at the age of 78 years on the morning of April 11, 2023 at the National Hospital, Abuja, during a brief illness, Persecondnews reports.

He was the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) governor in the Olusegun Obasanjo administration.

A family statement issued on Tuesday in Abuja by Mr Cheta Chinwoke Mbadinuju, a lawyer, said: “With heavy hearts but utmost gratitude to God for a life well spent, we announce the passing of our father, grand father, uncle, friend and associate, Dr. Chinwoke Mbadinuju, a former governor of Anambra State and elder statesman.

“ODERA as he was fondly called, passed peacefully at the age of 78 years on the morning of the 11th of April, 2023 at the National Hospital Abuja after a brief illness, surrounded by his family and loved ones.

“At this trying time, we pray for God’s grace and mercy upon him and those left behind to mourn him. His funeral arrangements will be announced in due course by the family.”

Born on 14 June 1945, Mbadinuju obtained a B.A. in Political Science and a doctorate degree in Government as well as a law degree.

He was an editor of Times International.

Before entering politics he was an associate professor of politics and African studies at the State University of New York.

He was Personal Assistant to the governor of the old Enugu State, Dr. Jim Chris Nwobodo, between 1979 and 1980 and also served as the Personal Assistant to President Shehu Shagari between 1980 and 1983.

Persecondnews recalls that in September 2002, unpaid teachers had gone on strike for a year and civil servants and court workers also joined paralysing socio-economic activities in the state.

The President of the Onitsha branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mr Barnabas Igwe, had accused the state government of pocketing the money meant to pay the striking workers.

Consequently, Igwe and his pregnant wife, Amaka, were brutally and publicly assassinated by the state’s militia men.

A national outcry had trailed the gruesome murder of the couple which remained an albatross to the Mbadiuju administration.