The name "Chuka
Obele-Chuka" needs no introduction in the socio-political lexicon of
contemporary Nigeria. The gadfly was once called the Gani Faweinmi of the
Southeast. He is a fearless activist and a fiery lawyer. He was among the
radical Nigerians who dared the military and took to the streets to protest the
annulment of the June 12, 1993 election. While Easterners in Lagos were fleeing
to the East, Obele-Chuka took a bus from East to streets of Lagos to
demonstrate against the abortion of the democratic process.
In 1998, dissatisfied with the
bleak state of the nation, Obele-Chuka embarked on two day one man
demonstration against the murderous regime of Gen. Sani Abacha. Expectedly, he
was swiftly detained by the goons of the Sani Abacha iron fist regime. That did
not deter Obele -Chuka though.
The taking over of Anambra State by
the PDP in the Fourth Republic ushered in a despicable brand of godfatherism
that saw the commonwealth of the state distributed among government officials
and party stalwarts all over the country with virtually nothing left for the
common man in the state. Things became so bad that the governor never bothered
to pay workers. Schools all over the state were closed for over one year, yet
the governor was not bothered. The then Chairman of Nigerian Bar Association,
Onitsha Branch Obiorah Igwe and his deputy, Chuka Obele-Chuka gave the governor
an ultimatum to pay the workers and reopen the schools. In the ensuing tension
Igwe and his wife were murdered by the agents of that government in cold blood.
Obele-Chuka was targeted but like the child of destiny who took a bath with
okra water, he continued to elude his would be assassins.