Imbued with a double heritage from the foundational historical principles of his Igbuzo kindred, which was derived from the two strongest historic Centres of distinct spiritual brands, ‘NWAOBOSHI’ (from Isu of Umejei lineage); and ‘ABUKANMGBOLU’ (from Nri Ogboli Heritage), Senator (Barr) Peter Onyelukachukwu Nwaoboshi, (SPON) is that enigmatic colossus, possessing an uncommon incarnate: A rare embodiment.
The man Nwaoboshi is gracefully vested with a complex disarming persona that is concealed with an enduring calmness, second to none and often at the risk of the undiscerning. He is a warrior, who has confronted too many adversaries and tough wars, sailing through, unscathed and triumphant. He is a lawyer, a libertarian political juggernaut (nicknamed ‘Oracle turned Miracle’) with unmatching perceptive astuteness; a peoples’ person whose views have earned him a quality presence with both the small and mighty. He is a Christian, yet not averse to the traditions of his people. Peter Onyelukachukwu Nwaoboshi is indeed an enigma, yet very greatly admired and respected.
As he marks his 64th birthday, an anniversary bordering on a triumphant re-entry after a protracted political suffrage yet in infamous contentions, it will be an honour to the Distinguished Senator, to, at this auspicious time, provide, for the benefit of the general public, a dispassionate narrative of the man Peter Nwaoboshi. It will also suffice to examine the life and times of this political luminary (whose preoccupation – a worthy enterprise, in the last 40 plus years, has been the emancipation of Anioma) thus far, his venture into politics; his political philosophy, challenges, achievements and his hopes for the future!
Early Life:
Senator Peter Onyelukahukwu Nwaoboshi is the first out of the many sibblings born to the Late Obi Francis Agetua Nwaoboshi and Obi Agnes Nwaoboshi from Isieke, Umuekea, Igbuzo. He attended Sacred Heart Primary School, Igbuzo, and the famous St Thomas’ Teachers Training College, both in Igbuzo Delta 1State. At school he was appointed the first punctuality prefect by his school principal, a pointer to the fact that his leadership skills were recognized, hence mentored very early in life. He proceeded to the then Bendel State university (now Ambrose Alli University) Ekpoma where he graduated with flying colors as the best graduating student, who won many prizes. He was retained as a lecturer, but he had other plans for his future. He preceded to the University of Benin where he graduated with a Bachelors’ Degree in Law and subsequently attended the Law School programme successfully. He further obtained a Masters Degree in Law from the Delta state university, Abraka. He went into legal practice, combining it astutely with partisan politics.
As a businessman, Nwaoboshi has interests and substantial investments in Real Estate and manufacturing, etc.
Political Life:
Senator Peter Nwaoboshi, started partisan politics very early, armed with his A-levels certificate. He participated actively as a youth leader of UPN, in the defunct Bendel state. As a young, dynamic lawyer, Nwaoboshi, often referred to as SPON by admirers has manifested outstanding sagacity and superfluous managerial qualities, an enablement for his very successful career as a politician so much that the Delta PDP leadership and family christened him: ‘The Oracle turned Miracle!’
His public life started with his joining politics on the platform of the Unity Party of Nigeria back in 1977. He was a UPN Youth Leader and was subsequently appointed Administrative Secretary in the UPN State Secretariat, Benin City.
In 1979, he was made an Aide – Political Secretary to Prof Ambrose Alli, the then Governor of the defunct Bendel State. With the return to Democracy in 1999, he was appointed political adviser to the then Governor of Delta State, Chief James Ibori who later in 2000 appointed him Commissioner for Agriculture and subsequently as commissioner Special Duties, a position he held until 2006.
He would become the Chairman of a grade ‘A’ Federal Board, Raw Materials and Research Centre, and in 2008, he emerged the State Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Delta state and served in that capacity for two terms until when he resigned to run for elections into the Senate in 2014. He won and thus the unleashing of a classic and boisterous Nwaoboshi playing at the National arena.
With the inauguration of the 8th Assembly, he took the oath of office as a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in 2015 and subsequently emerged as the Chairman, Senate Committee on Niger Delta Affairs, a rare feat from a member of the opposition party and that signalled a Peter Nwaoboshi who could navigate all waters unscathed and within a few years of his stay in the Senate, Nwaoboshi had become the toast of the hallowed red chambers. In no time, his influence became the characterisation for true Representation. He built a rare reputation in inter-party relations to the admiration of his colleagues even as an opposition. He carried on tall and stately, yet remaining loyal to his Party, the PDP, a party he joined to build and nurture until his recent defection into the progressive fold of the APC.
Political Philosophy:
Senator Nwaoboshi is the apostle of “playing politics of development with gusto/panache”, his mantra. He believes in the embedding of politics (and its dividends) in the society as an established norm. As a grass-root politician, he professed the unbiased distribution of infrastructure and social amenities. He has become the toast of the hallowed red chambers and like earlier mentioned, now the characterisation for true Representation – providing added value for his state, Delta State.
From his exalted position as Chairman, Senate Committee on Niger Delta Affairs, appropriating the instrument of the NDDC framework, and in line with his philosophy of “playing politics of development with gusto/panache”, Nwaoboshi has furthered an exceptional wave of infrastructure development in the state to the delight of the Anioma people. He attracted roads construction to every nook and crannies of Delta North, his constituency, including in the State Capital, Asaba. He showed significant support for rural electrification (solar energy) and the provision of portable water, through the NDDC. Evidence of the humongous projects attracted by the senator, spreads across Delta state.
The very recent effort of the Senator – the Bill for the establishment of the University of Agriculture and Technology, which has not only scaled the second reading in the Senate but had a successful public Hearing last Tuesday the 29th of June, 2021, is a testimony of the distinguished Senator and would add this educational legacy as one more of the numerous accomplishments of this champion.
At 64, Nwaoboshi stands tall and stately, youthful and gracious. His time and term are still high and the people of Anioma are not done with him yet. He is the living star of Ndi Anioma.
In such an auspicious time, as he celebrates, may the Almighty God keep him safe and strong, for the future holds even more for the “Oracle turned Miracle”.
‘Ochu nwa okuku nwe ada’.
Take a bow! The most Distinguished Senator (Barr) Peter Onyelukachukwu Nwaoboshi.
NB: Ogbuefi Ben Egwuatu wrote this commemorative tribute with additional inputs from Philip Elueme and Ogbuefi Anthony Ejiofor.
