Arthur Nzeribe – the controversial politician who prepared the ground for the annulment of June 12 election, dies at 83
Nigerian Senator Arthur Nzeribe, a maverick politician who was a willing tool in the hands of former military Head of State Ibrahim Babangida to annul the June 12, 1993, presidential election, has died.
A family statement on Sunday, May 8, 2022, said he died on Thursday, May 5, 2022, at 83.
The statement, signed by Ojiabu Francis Anyegbu Nzeribe, Anthony Akpati Nzeribe, and Ojiabu Oliver Nwedo Nzeribe on behalf of the family, did not disclose the cause of his death.
The statement read, “Umudei Royal Village of Oguta in the Oguta Local Government Area of Imo State, in total submission to the will of God Almighty and in appreciation of a remarkably worthy life, hereby announces the death of our Son, Cousin, Uncle, Husband, Father, and Grandfather, Distinguished Senator, Chief Francis Arthur Uzoma Nzeribe (Ogbuagu, Oshiji, Damarae Oyirrba of Oguta) on the 5th day of May 2022 at the age of 83.
“While we are pained by this loss, we are proud of this African Legend who distinguished himself in various fields, including sports, international business, and politics and gave the Nzeribe brand worldwide acclaim.”
Nzeribe, who represented the Orlu Senatorial District of Imo State at the Nigerian Senate from October 1983 to December 1983 and 1999 to 2007 under the platform of the Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP, was born on November 2, 1938, in Oguta, Imo State.
Before joining politics in 1983, Nzeribe owned and ran a multi-million business called the Fanz Organisation, which deals in heavy construction materials, oil, publishing and property investment.
He was one of the leaders of the Association for Better Nigeria (ABN), the group that filed a suit before the Abuja High Court in 1993, asking the electoral commission not to hold the June 12, 1993, Presidential election between MKO Abiola and Bashir Tofa.
When the electoral commission proceeded with the election, ABN members approached an Abuja High Court again, asking it to stop the announcement of the results.
The ABN suit was the foundation upon which Babangida’s annulment of the election was based.
“I am proud that we cancelled the election. I wanted the election cancelled, and it was cancelled,” Nzeribe, 82, told the New Telegraph newspaper in 2014 when asked about his role in the annulment of the June 12, 1993 election.
In November 2002, Nzeribe was indefinitely suspended by the then Senate President, Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, over alleged N22 million fraud.
While appealing to the public for privacy, the family said necessary traditional consultations have begun and, in due course, will release a programme for funeral rites.
