Enyinnaya Abaribe: A Life of politics, principle and persistence

Enyinnaya Harcourt Abaribe is a seasoned Nigerian politician who currently represents Abia South Senatorial District in the Senate, a position he has held since June 2007.

Over the years, Abaribe has remained a strong voice in national politics, serving in key roles including Senate Minority Leader during the 9th Senate.

Profile summary

Name: Enyinnaya Harcourt Abaribe

Born: March 1, 1955

Place of birth: Abia

Tribe: Igbo

Religion: Christianity

Education: University of Ibadan

Marital status:  Married

Career: Politician

Background

Born on March 1, 1955, in Aba,  Abia State, Abaribe has grown into one of the most recognisable political figures from the South-East, best known for his long service as senator representing Abia South Senatorial District.

Abaribe’s early life was rooted in education and discipline.

He attended Government College Umuahia, where he obtained his West African School Certificate in 1974.

He later gained admission to the University of Benin, earning a bachelor’s degree in Economics in 1979 and a master’s degree in the same field in 1982.

Early career

Shortly after his postgraduate studies, he began his professional career in academia, lecturing at Edo State University between 1982 and 1985.

He later moved into the private sector, building experience in corporate management and finance.

From 1985 to 1991, Abaribe worked with SCOA Nigeria as the Area Manager for Southern Nigeria.

He then served as Senior Manager for Investment at Nicon between 1991 and 1992.

His business career peaked in the mid-1990s when he became the Chief Executive Officer of Integrated Mortgage Company, a position he held from 1993 to 1995.

These roles helped shape his understanding of finance, administration and economic policy, skills he later brought into politics.

Foray into politics

Abaribe’s political journey gained prominence in 1999 when he was elected Deputy Governor of Abia State alongside Governor Orji Uzor Kalu at the start of Nigeria’s Fourth Republic.

His tenure, however, was turbulent. He faced repeated impeachment attempts by the Abia State House of Assembly, with two attempts in 2000 and a third in 2003.

As the final impeachment process gathered momentum, Abaribe resigned on March 7, 2003, sending his resignation by courier to ensure there was a formal record.

The House later voted him out of office, a move he famously described as “medicine after death.”

After leaving office as deputy governor, Abaribe contested the 2003 Abia governorship election on the platform of the All Nigeria Peoples Party but lost.

He returned stronger in 2007, when he was elected into the Nigerian Senate to represent Abia South on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party.

His victory was challenged in court by his opponent, but he retained his seat. That election marked the beginning of a long and consistent legislative career.

Since 2007, Abaribe has been re-elected multiple times, winning senatorial elections in 2011, 2015, 2019 and 2023.

In the 2023 polls, he defeated other candidates with 49,693 votes to retain his seat.

Over the years, he has served on several Senate committees and held key leadership roles.

In June 2019, he was appointed Senate Minority Leader, a position he held during the 9th Senate. In August 2023, he was named Chairman of the Senate Committee on Power in the 10th Senate.

Abaribe is widely known for his outspoken nature, especially on issues of governance, democracy and national security.

In January 2020, during a Senate debate on worsening insecurity across the country, he openly asked then President Muhammadu Buhari to resign.

He reminded the Senate and Nigerians of Buhari’s campaign promise in 2015, when he said Nigerians should stone him out of office if he failed to improve security. “Nigerians voted a government into power. We are going with stones to stone them now because they have failed,” Abaribe said during the motion.

Controversies

In June 2018, Abaribe made headlines again when he was arrested by the Department of State Services in Abuja.

The arrest was linked to allegations of his association with the Indigenous People of Biafra, after he stood as one of the sureties for its leader, Nnamdi Kanu.

He was briefly detained, his residence searched, and later released on bail on June 26, 2018. The incident further cemented his image as a controversial but fearless political figure.

Politically, Abaribe spent many years in the Peoples Democratic Party before defecting to the All Progressives Grand Alliance in 2022.

His switch was seen by many as a return to a party with deep roots in the South-East.

Personal life

Enyinnaya Abaribe is married to Florence Morris, and the marriage is blessed with three children.

Despite his high-profile political life, he has kept his family largely away from the spotlight, maintaining a relatively private home life.

Net worth

Abaribe is estimated to be worth about $5 million owing to his long career in politics, earlier success in the private sector, and business ventures.