Peter Onyelukachukwu Nwaoboshi, a former senator who represented Delta North Senatorial District and one of Delta State’s most influential political figures, has died. He was 67.
The death of the seasoned politician, lawyer and party organiser was confirmed on Friday, drawing tributes from across the political divide, particularly from the Anioma nation and the wider Niger Delta region where he was regarded as a fearless advocate.
Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, described Nwaoboshi’s passing as a huge loss to Delta State and Nigeria, praising him as a courageous leader whose contributions to public service and democratic development would not be forgotten.
In a condolence message issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Sir Festus Ahon, the governor said the late senator was “a proud son of Delta State and a steadfast defender of the Anioma cause,” whose impact at both state and national levels remained enduring.
Born in 1958 in Delta State, Peter Nwaoboshi received his early education at St Thomas Teachers College, where he obtained his West African School Certificate in 1976. He later studied law at the University of Benin, graduating with a Bachelor of Laws degree in 1986, and went on to earn a Master of Laws from Delta State University.
Nwaoboshi’s public career began in 1979 when he served as an aide to Samuel Ogbemudia, the then governor of the defunct Bendel State. He later held several strategic appointments, including chairman of the Nigerian Railway Corporation and political adviser to former Delta State governor, James Ibori.
Between 2000 and 2006, he was Commissioner for Agriculture and Special Duties in Delta State, a period that further strengthened his standing within the state’s political structure.
A skilled party organiser, Nwaoboshi rose through the ranks of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), serving two terms as Delta State chairman in 2008 and 2012. In 2014, he stepped down from the position to contest for the Senate.
In 2015, Nwaoboshi was elected senator representing Delta North Senatorial District. At the National Assembly, he chaired the Senate Committee on Niger Delta Affairs, where he played a prominent role in debates on oil-producing communities, resource control and regional development.
He secured re-election in 2019, though his victory was briefly overturned by a Federal High Court in Abuja over issues relating to party primaries. The Court of Appeal later nullified the ruling, restoring his mandate after holding that the lower court lacked jurisdiction.
Nwaoboshi served in the Senate until 2023, leaving behind a reputation as a bold, outspoken lawmaker who was rarely afraid to confront authority.
His relationship with the PDP became strained in 2021 following a public disagreement with then Governor Ifeanyi Okowa. After being suspended by the party over alleged anti-party activities, Nwaoboshi dismissed the action as unlawful and soon defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), underscoring his independent political streak.
Among the bills he sponsored was the 2016 amendment of the Code of Conduct Act, a proposal aimed at strengthening ethical standards in public office, though it was not eventually passed into law.
Governor Oborevwori said Nwaoboshi’s political life was defined by courage, loyalty and service, noting that his leadership of the Senate Committee on Niger Delta Affairs gave voice to long-standing developmental concerns of the region.
“On behalf of the government and people of Delta State, I mourn the passing of my dear friend, Senator Peter Onyelukachukwu Nwaoboshi,” the governor said, extending condolences to his family, the Anioma people and his political associates.
Peter Nwaoboshi is remembered as a formidable political actor, a loyal party organiser and a passionate advocate for Anioma interests and Niger Delta development. His death marks the end of an era in Delta State politics, but his imprint on the state’s democratic and political landscape will long endure.
Leave a Reply