James Ifeanyichukwu Nwobodo, fondly called Jim Nwobodo, is a businessman, politician, and statesman. He was Governor of Anambra State from 1979 to 1983 during the Second Republic, and later Senator for Enugu East from 1999 to 2003. In 2003, he made a bold bid for the Nigerian presidency.
Born on 9 May 1940 in Agyaragu, Lafia, Nassarawa State, Nwobodo’s roots stretch deep into Nigeria’s soil. His schooling took him from Government School Awka, to St. Peter’s College Zaria, then to Nigerian College of Arts, Science and Technology in Enugu and Ibadan. From 1961 to 1964, he studied English at University College Ibadan, where he earned a BA.
He began his career as a tutor at King’s College, Lagos (1964–1966), before moving into the corporate world with Shell Nigeria. After the Civil War ended in 1970, he stepped into business. He founded Link Group International, which spread across Nigeria, and became chairman of Jimson International Al Cargo Agencies, Satellite Press Limited, and other ventures.
Rise in Politics and Sports
Jim Nwobodo was more than a businessman. He was also a sportsman at heart. As chairman of Enugu Rangers football club in the 1970s, he presided over one of their most glorious eras. The team became a symbol of Igbo resilience after the war, giving joy to many across Eastern Nigeria.
He entered politics in 1978, joining the Nigerian Peoples Party (NPP). That same year, he became the party’s chairman in old Anambra State. By 1 October 1979, he was sworn in as the first civilian governor of the state. His tenure brought development projects that still stand today.
Nike Lake Hotel, Anambra State Television, the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium, and two Colleges of Education at Eha-Amufu and Nsugbe were his works. He also founded Anambra State University of Science and Technology (ASUT), which later gave birth to Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. He often said his dream was to use education as a weapon of liberation.
Storms of Politics
Nwobodo sought re-election in 1983, but lost to Christian Onoh of the National Party of Nigeria (NPN). The elections were marred by rigging, violence, and intimidation. When the military led by General Muhammadu Buhari took over in December 1983, he was imprisoned.
Under General Sani Abacha, he returned to national service as a member of the Constitutional Commission in the 1990s. In 1995, he was appointed Minister of Youth and Sports. During his tenure, Nigeria’s Super Eagles won the African Cup of Nations in Tunisia. Each player was promised a 3-bedroom house.
On 27 December 1995, Nwobodo wrote them: “The Works & Housing Ministry has been directed to release the houses immediately.” The promise was fulfilled many years later, in 2009, when the houses were finally delivered.
In 1999, he was elected Senator for Enugu East under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He chaired the Senate Committee on Internal Affairs. He backed Chimaroke Nnamani as governor of Enugu State, but their alliance soon collapsed, leading to bitter political feuds.
Towards the end of his Senate term, he defected to the United Nigeria People’s Party (UNPP) and ran for president in 2003, with Mohammed Goni as his running mate. He lost, but his ambition showed his restless spirit.
In 2008, he chaired the PDP Action Committee on the South East, seeking to resolve party disputes. In 2009, after years of legal battles, the Savannah Bank—where he held major interest—had its license restored by order of the Court of Appeal.
Today, Jim Nwobodo is remembered as one of Nigeria’s bold Second Republic politicians, a man who mixed business with politics, education with sports, and ambition with service.
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