10 things to know about late ex-Anambra governor, Mbadinuju

A former governor of Anambra State, Dr Chinwoke Mbadinuju, has been announced dead at the National Hospital in Abuja on Tuesday, at the age of 78.

A press statement signed by his son, Mr Cheta Mbadinuju, on behalf of the family on Tuesday, revealed that he died after a brief illness.

The statement read, “With heavy hearts but utmost gratitude to God for a life well spent, we announce the passing of our father, grandfather, uncle, friend and associate, Dr Chinwoke Mbadinuju, a former governor of Anambra State and elder statesman.

In this report, The PUNCH highlights 10 things to know about the former Anambra governor as follows:

1. Chinwoke Mbadinuju was born on June 14, 1945, in Uli, Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State.

2. He obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and a Doctorate in Government. He also had a law degree and was an editor of Times International.

3. He was Governor of Anambra State from May 29, 1999, to May 29, 2003, on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party.

4. Fondly called “Odera”, he will be remembered for signing into law the bill that created Anambra Vigilante Services and establishing Anambra State University, Uli.

5. Mbadinuju was a one-term governor of Anambra State. He did not return in 2003 as he lost his reelection bid. He first lost the PDP primaries after which he defected to the defunct Alliance for Democracy, where he emerged as the party’s standard bearer, but later lost in the 2003 general elections.

6. He was believed to have governed Anambra at a time when the state experienced the highest level of political turbulence.

7. Before joining mainstream politics, he was an Associate Professor of Politics and African Studies at the State University of New York.

8. He was personal assistant to the governor of the old Enugu State, Dr Jim Nwobodo, between 1979 and 1980.

9. He also served as a personal assistant to former President Shehu Shagari between 1980 and 1983.

10. He was married to Nnebuogo Mbadinuju, and they have five children: Ada Mbadinuju, Chetachi Mbadinuju, Nwachukwu Mbadinuju, Uche Mbadinuju and Chima Mbadinuju.