(this story is it true or false) ?
How Evan Enwerem Was Removed as Senate President
Evans Enwerem began his rise in public service as chairman of the Nigerian Airports Authority (NAA) from 1980 to 1983. He later emerged on the political scene in the 1990s when General Ibrahim Babangida lifted the ban on political activity, allowing Enwerem to become governor of Imo State.
With the return to democratic rule in 1999 under President Olusegun Obasanjo, Enwerem was elected senator representing Imo East. However, he had ambitions beyond the Senate floor—he set his sights on becoming Senate President.
His main rival for the position was Chuba Okadigbo, a well-respected politician from Anambra State and former political adviser to President Shehu Shagari during the Second Republic. Okadigbo was the popular favorite among senators, especially within the dominant People's Democratic Party (PDP), and had quietly campaigned by meeting with many of them before the Senate’s inauguration.
Despite Okadigbo's popularity and strong backing, President Obasanjo reportedly opposed his candidacy. In the days leading up to the Senate leadership election, Obasanjo allegedly coordinated with opposition parties and some PDP senators to thwart Okadigbo’s bid.
On election day in June 1999, Enwerem pulled off an upset, defeating Okadigbo by 66 votes to 43. He assumed the Senate presidency, but his victory—backed by presidential influence—caused friction within the PDP and foreshadowed the turbulence ahead for the Nigerian Senate.
Enwerem’s tenure was marked by unwavering loyalty to Obasanjo, which only fueled skepticism about his leadership. In August 1999, TELL magazine published an exposé questioning his credentials and legitimacy. The controversy spiraled when questions arose over whether his actual name was “Evan” or “Evans,” with some of Okadigbo’s allies accusing him of falsifying personal information for political gain.
Although Enwerem claimed the discrepancies were merely typographical errors, the scandal intensified. On November 18, 1999, while accompanying President Obasanjo to the airport for a foreign trip, the Senate moved against him. In his absence, a vote was taken, and Enwerem was removed from office.
Chuba Okadigbo was subsequently elected as his replacement. Although initially celebrated, Okadigbo too fell from grace—impeached in 2000 over allegations of corruption, though he continued to serve as the senator representing Anambra North.
How Evan Enwerem Was Removed as Senate President
Evans Enwerem began his rise in public service as chairman of the Nigerian Airports Authority (NAA) from 1980 to 1983. He later emerged on the political scene in the 1990s when General Ibrahim Babangida lifted the ban on political activity, allowing Enwerem to become governor of Imo State.
With the return to democratic rule in 1999 under President Olusegun Obasanjo, Enwerem was elected senator representing Imo East. However, he had ambitions beyond the Senate floor—he set his sights on becoming Senate President.
His main rival for the position was Chuba Okadigbo, a well-respected politician from Anambra State and former political adviser to President Shehu Shagari during the Second Republic. Okadigbo was the popular favorite among senators, especially within the dominant People's Democratic Party (PDP), and had quietly campaigned by meeting with many of them before the Senate’s inauguration.
Despite Okadigbo's popularity and strong backing, President Obasanjo reportedly opposed his candidacy. In the days leading up to the Senate leadership election, Obasanjo allegedly coordinated with opposition parties and some PDP senators to thwart Okadigbo’s bid.
On election day in June 1999, Enwerem pulled off an upset, defeating Okadigbo by 66 votes to 43. He assumed the Senate presidency, but his victory—backed by presidential influence—caused friction within the PDP and foreshadowed the turbulence ahead for the Nigerian Senate.
Enwerem’s tenure was marked by unwavering loyalty to Obasanjo, which only fueled skepticism about his leadership. In August 1999, TELL magazine published an exposé questioning his credentials and legitimacy. The controversy spiraled when questions arose over whether his actual name was “Evan” or “Evans,” with some of Okadigbo’s allies accusing him of falsifying personal information for political gain.
Although Enwerem claimed the discrepancies were merely typographical errors, the scandal intensified. On November 18, 1999, while accompanying President Obasanjo to the airport for a foreign trip, the Senate moved against him. In his absence, a vote was taken, and Enwerem was removed from office.
Chuba Okadigbo was subsequently elected as his replacement. Although initially celebrated, Okadigbo too fell from grace—impeached in 2000 over allegations of corruption, though he continued to serve as the senator representing Anambra North.
(this story is it true or false) ?
How Evan Enwerem Was Removed as Senate President
Evans Enwerem began his rise in public service as chairman of the Nigerian Airports Authority (NAA) from 1980 to 1983. He later emerged on the political scene in the 1990s when General Ibrahim Babangida lifted the ban on political activity, allowing Enwerem to become governor of Imo State.
With the return to democratic rule in 1999 under President Olusegun Obasanjo, Enwerem was elected senator representing Imo East. However, he had ambitions beyond the Senate floor—he set his sights on becoming Senate President.
His main rival for the position was Chuba Okadigbo, a well-respected politician from Anambra State and former political adviser to President Shehu Shagari during the Second Republic. Okadigbo was the popular favorite among senators, especially within the dominant People's Democratic Party (PDP), and had quietly campaigned by meeting with many of them before the Senate’s inauguration.
Despite Okadigbo's popularity and strong backing, President Obasanjo reportedly opposed his candidacy. In the days leading up to the Senate leadership election, Obasanjo allegedly coordinated with opposition parties and some PDP senators to thwart Okadigbo’s bid.
On election day in June 1999, Enwerem pulled off an upset, defeating Okadigbo by 66 votes to 43. He assumed the Senate presidency, but his victory—backed by presidential influence—caused friction within the PDP and foreshadowed the turbulence ahead for the Nigerian Senate.
Enwerem’s tenure was marked by unwavering loyalty to Obasanjo, which only fueled skepticism about his leadership. In August 1999, TELL magazine published an exposé questioning his credentials and legitimacy. The controversy spiraled when questions arose over whether his actual name was “Evan” or “Evans,” with some of Okadigbo’s allies accusing him of falsifying personal information for political gain.
Although Enwerem claimed the discrepancies were merely typographical errors, the scandal intensified. On November 18, 1999, while accompanying President Obasanjo to the airport for a foreign trip, the Senate moved against him. In his absence, a vote was taken, and Enwerem was removed from office.
Chuba Okadigbo was subsequently elected as his replacement. Although initially celebrated, Okadigbo too fell from grace—impeached in 2000 over allegations of corruption, though he continued to serve as the senator representing Anambra North.
0 Comments
·0 Shares
·195 Views
·0 Reviews