OBINNA CHIDOKA: Quintessential Legislator

Obinna Chidoka, an accomplished politician, started his political career at 33. He is a three-time representative of Idemili North and South federal constituency in the House of Representatives. As he turns 50 today, the former Chairman of the House Committee on Environment opens up to Vanessa Obioha about the significant chapters of his life, political experiences and cherished family moments

Few Nigerian politicians are privileged to secure an early political milestone. Hon. Obinna Chidoka is among these selected few. At age 33, he won election into the House of Representatives, having served Senator Michael Ajegbo as his legislative aide in the 1999/2003 parliamentary session. He would later work with Nedu Ugochukwu from 2003 to 2005 before contesting and winning the House of Representatives in 2007. Subsequent elections have seen him win and lose some. For instance, he lost in the 2011 elections but won in 2015 and 2019. He however lost in the 2023 general elections. 

He currently holds the traditional title of Ife Idemili (Light of Idemili), signifying his noble accomplishments in his service to his community Obosi, and the entire Idemili North and South which he represented in the House of Representatives.

Born in Enugu to the highly disciplined family of Ogbueshi Ben and Deaconess Nneka Chidoka from Obosi in Anambra State, Chidoka and his four siblings were partly raised in Enugu before they relocated to Lagos where he completed his secondary education at Lagos State Model College, Badore, and later attended the University of Lagos, and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Sociology. This relocation exposed him to different cultures.

Chidoka always thought he was going to be a businessman. Therefore, when the opportunity came to work with Senator Ajegbo after his National Youth Service Corps year in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, he jumped at it.

“It was an interesting moment because he was a businessman and a politician at the same time, which was where I began to cut my teeth in terms of politics. Coincidentally, he was not only from my state but also from my hometown of Obosi.  We usually had his constituency visits and consultations which also exposed me to a lot of people at the grassroots level,” he said during a recent encounter.

“But, I need to say that my initial thought of working with Senator Ajegbo was because he was a very successful businessman and I wanted to be successful as well and wanted to know how he runs his businesses,” he said admittedly. “I wanted to study his businesses and if possible, learn from his business acumen and set up my businesses too. However, like I always would joke about, I ‘unfortunately’ got bitten by the politics bug and that’s how I missed out on being a wealthy businessman!”

On what inspired him to choose politics over business, he said: “I’m really not sure how politics caught my fancy, but I liked the idea of bringing about tangible change to our laws and society with the instrumentality of government, it’s what I would call input, output, and outcomes. You make a law and see it works for the benefit of the people, and also initiate a project and see people benefit from it. I guess that is one of the key things that caught my attention because, ordinarily, all I wanted to do was to learn from my boss, set up my business, employ people and make money out of it.”

During his time in the House of Rep, Chidoka made a few significant legislative contributions.

“One of the first bills or motions I moved after I got elected in 2007 was the repair of the existing Niger Bridge which was built in 1964 by Dumez Construction. And, then I added to it the completion of the second Niger Bridge because, at that time, the government had started preliminary works on the second Niger Bridge but nothing serious has been done. I was the first to move for its completion.”

Chidoka openly noted the valuable lessons from his legislative encounters, highlighting a commendation from Mrs. Virginia Ngozi Etiaba, the f irst female governor of Anambra State, during a public function. He further added “And on a personal note, I’ve met prominent people like the Obi of Onitsha who also commended the work I did. After the Second Niger Bridge motion, I moved for the completion of the Onitsha-Owerri Expressway motion and the spur through Obosi. The Onitsha-Owerri expressway is a commercial nerve gateway that moves people between Onitsha all the way to Owerri, Port Harcourt and vice versa.”

 As someone who started politics at a young age, Chidoka acknowledged that age and experience are very important factors in leadership. “You know, I’ve always said this, that people should be careful when they call for youths in very sensitive government positions. What I’ve found out is that youthfulness without experience comes to nothing.” 

He continued: “It’s not about being young, but must have the requisite experience. And the way you get experience is to start early. I’m gratified that the not-too-young-to-run bill has brought down the age to about 25 for political participation.”

Elaborating more, Chidoka emphasised that in the case of a young president, the focus should be on someone who has adequate experience and can handle the economic and societal factors.

“Looking back, I’ve seen young people who got into positions as governors, speakers of their respective assemblies in their 30s or become senate presidents in their 30s, and what was the outcome? You know, these are some of the things we should look out for before we begin to talk about youths in sensitive positions.”

Beyond his legislative career, Chidoka is a strong advocate for the environment, having been a former Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on the Environment. He therefore shared his thoughts on Nigeria’s ambitions towards achieving a net-zero emission target as established by the Paris Agreement of 2015 at COP 21 which Nigeria is a signatory.

“Yes, there are hurdles for us as a nation in achieving our set goals which include funding and the sustainability of our plans as contained in our Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC). Nigeria is on the right path but we all need to do more to achieve our set goals for the sustainability of our environmental plans.”

A philanthropist, Chidoka also talked about the inspiration behind the Obinna Chidoka Foundation, a charitable project which he initiated several years back.

“Having been in the National Assembly for some time, I knew where the issues lie within our communities, and most of our communities are facing many challenges and you cannot handle those challenges at the same time. And one of those critical areas I have found is that of empowerment. I need to be able to empower our people with relevant skills to be self-sustained.”

Chidoka turns 50 today, a milestone which is worth celebrating. As he looked back on his life and career, the legislator could not help but be grateful to the Supreme One for His grace and mercies.

“Fifty years have been one that, at some point in my life, I have become very strategic because having gone into the National Assembly; I have become intentional that I wanted to keep on being in the public eye to be able to make my contributions in life.”

He also appreciated his family including his late mother who passed on last year and his father who will be 98 this year. He also recalled the significant role his dad played in his life.

“My dad put education first, I played soccer and would have been a footballer but that didn’t work out and for those who don’t know, the other vocation I would have taken, would be the music industry, I would’ve been a dancer because I love to dance. I would have been in the music industry dancing away and all that. Those sectors today produce our big stars and major income earners just like the footballers earn a lot today instead of me struggling here to make sure that I help my constituents and help myself (Laughs). A young boy in Arsenal or Chelsea is probably earning £70,000 weekly,” he said, adding jokingly, “In another life I will choose wisely.”

At 50, Chidoka has no regrets.

“With the way my life has turned out, no regrets at all. I am very much grateful. I believe that my life has been such that the outcome has been something I am grateful for. I have been able to help our people. From a young age, I have been in the public eye, and I have sacrificed so much personally to see that we are where we are today.”

His family life is one that he has kept away from the public eye. However, he recounted how he met his wife.

“It’s quite an interesting story when you asked how I met my wife. I met my wife in 2008 at the Obosi Development Association in the United States. I should say that when I saw her at the party I knew there and then I was going to marry her, the rest they say is history. We are happily married with four kids”.

Reflecting on the most priceless memory of his past years, Chidoka fondly recalled the cherished moments of growing up with his siblings. As their parents frequently traveled, the children stayed with their grandparents, cared for by uncles. He treasures the music and dance shared together during that period.

As he steps onto the fifth floor, Chidoka is optimistic that he will climb more steps and each ascent will be dedicated to service; from the church to his community and he will continue his environmental advocacy.

Outside politics, Chidoka is committed to building businesses which he said would have been his first love anyway. “I have my business interests in a financial advisory firm and the hospital industry which I intend to scale. But I will continue on the pathway which gives me the greatest satisfaction which is serving others through my foundation. There is still a lot of work to be done out there! Going biblically, just like Nehemiah said to the naysayers.”