Tributes as Peter Nwaoboshi, former Delta North senator, Anioma power broker dies at 67

Peter Onyelukachukwu Nwaoboshi, a former senator who represented Delta North Senatorial District and a towering political figure in Delta State, has died. He was 67.

His death was confirmed on Friday, triggering an outpouring of tributes from political leaders, party members and associates across the state and beyond.

Delta State Governor, Sheriff Oborevwori, described Nwaoboshi’s passing as a profound loss to Delta State, the Anioma nation and Nigeria, hailing him as a courageous leader whose contributions to public life would endure.

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 fearless defender of the Anioma cause,” whose legacy of service and advocacy remained indelible.

Born in 1958 in Delta State, Peter Nwaoboshi built a political career that spanned more than four decades, combining party leadership, executive appointments and legislative influence.

He attended St Thomas Teachers College, where he obtained his West African School Certificate in 1976, before proceeding to the University of Benin, where he earned a Bachelor of Laws degree in 1986. He later obtained a Master of Laws degree from Delta State University, grounding his political career in a solid legal background.

Nwaoboshi began his public service journey in 1979 as an aide to the then military governor of the defunct Bendel State, Samuel Ogbemudia. Over the years, he 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 served as Commissioner for Agriculture and Special Duties in Delta State, a role that further entrenched his influence within the state’s political establishment.

A consummate party man, Nwaoboshi rose to prominence within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), serving two terms as Delta State chairman of the party – first in 2008 and again in 2012. In 2014, he resigned his chairmanship position to pursue elective office.

In 2015, he was elected senator representing Delta North Senatorial District and went on to chair the Senate Committee on Niger Delta Affairs, where he became a prominent voice on development issues affecting oil-producing communities.

He was re-elected in 2019, though his victory was initially mired in legal controversy. A Federal High Court in Abuja briefly nullified his election on the grounds of improper party nomination, but the Court of Appeal overturned the ruling on 30 May 2019, holding that the lower court lacked jurisdiction. His mandate was subsequently restored, allowing him to complete his term, which ended in 2023.

Nwaoboshi’s later political years were marked by high-profile disputes within the PDP. In June 2021, the Delta State chapter of the party suspended him over alleged anti-party activities following a public fallout with then Governor Ifeanyi Okowa.

He dismissed the suspension as “illegal” and “laughable” before formally leaving the PDP and defecting to the All Progressives Congress (APC), a move that underscored his reputation as a fearless and independent political actor.

During his time in the Senate, Nwaoboshi sponsored several motions and bills, including a 2016 amendment bill to the Code of Conduct Act. While the bill did not eventually become law, it reflected his interest in governance reforms and accountability.

Governor Oborevwori, recalling his years in the National Assembly, noted that Nwaoboshi’s leadership of the Senate Committee on Niger Delta Affairs amplified advocacy for the development of the Niger Delta and Delta State.

In his tribute, Governor Oborevwori described the late senator as a leader whose political journey was anchored on “selfless service, courage and unwavering commitment to democratic ideals.”

“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 nation and all those whose lives he touched.

Nwaoboshi is remembered as a bold political operator, a party organiser of rare influence and a passionate advocate for Anioma interests and Niger Delta development. His death closes a significant chapter in Delta State’s political history, leaving behind a legacy of loyalty, resilience and deep-rooted engagement in Nigeria’s democratic journey.