Enyinnaya Harcourt Abaribe is a Nigerian politician and lecturer. He is a Nigerian Senator and the former deputy Governor of Abia state. Abaribe was born on March 1,1955.
Educational background
Enyinnaya Abaribe attended Government College Umuahia. He obtained his West African Secondary School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) in 1974. He proceeded to study economics at the University of Benin where he graduated in 1979.
Abaribe proceeded to get a Masters degree in Economics from the same university in 1982.
Career
Enyinnaya Abaribe started as a University lecturer. He was a lecturer at the Edo State University from 1982-1985.
In 1985, Abaribe became the area manager of SCOA Nigeria Ltd. He was in SCOA till 1991 when he was employed at Nicon as Senior Manager for investment. From 1993 to 1995, Abaribe was the CEO of Integrated Mortgage Co.
Political Career
Abaribe was the running mate for Orji Uzor Kalu in the 1999 General Election under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He was sworn in as Deputy Governor on 29th May, 1999. While serving as deputy Governor, Abaribe was impeached as deputy governor by the Abia State House of Assembly twice.
In 2003, Abaribe sent his resignation later to the House of Assembly via DHL. Days later, Abia state House of Assembly formally voted him out as Deputy Governor. While Eric Acho Nwakanma succeeded him as Deputy Governor.
In 2003, Abaribe ran for Governor under the All Nigeria’s Peoples Party (ANPP) but lost to Orji Uzor Kalu.
In 2007, Abaribe was elected as the Senator representing Abia South Senatorial zone. Abaribe defeated his closest contender Eric Acho Nwakanma of Progressive People Alliance (PPA).
While in the senate, Abaribe was the Vice Chairman of the Senate Committee on Inter-Parliamentary Affairs. He was also a member of the Committees on the Independent National Electoral Commission, Senate Services, and Works.
In 2011, Abaribe ran for a second term inoffice. He was re-elected for second term in office during the 2011 gubernatorial election. Abaribe was appointed chairman Senate Committee on Media and Publicity.
In 2015, Abaribe was election for a third term in office under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). He was electedfor a fourth term in office in 2019 under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
In June 2019, He was appointed the Minority Leader of the Senate.
Controversies and Arrests
On 22nd June 2018, the Department of State SecurityServices (DSS) arrested Abaribe at his barber shop at Transcorp Hilton Hotel.Abaribe was accused of being part of the Indigenous People of Biafra(IPOB).
Abaribe was taken to his house for a search before taken into DSS custody. He was later released on 26th June, 2018 on bail.
Abaribe was one of the sureties that facilitated the release of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra.
Abaribe and six others protested the arrest of Ralph Uwazuruike in October 2007. Ralph Uwazuruike was the the leader of the banned secessionist group Movement for the Actualization of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB).
In January 2020, Abaribe called on PresidentMohammadu Buhari to resign from office if he could not tackle the securitychallenges in the country. Abaribe said PresidentBuhari’aapproach to the recent securitychallenges amazes him.
“Nigerians voted a government into power. We are going with stones to stone them now because they have failed.”Abaribe said.
Abaribe‘s call for PresidentBuhari‘s resignation caused an uproar the NationalAssembly.President Buhari summoned security chiefs later that day.
Personal life
Abaribe is married toFlorence Nwamaka Abaribe and together they have three childrenChinonyerem Alali, Obinna Ikechukwu and Ikenna Enyinnaya Nwabueze.
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