CHARLES AHIZE: AN ACTIVIST AS A LEGISLATOR

Many have come to know Chief Charles Ahize as that young man from Ihioma who became a millionaire selling cars, investing in real estate and executing contracts. But, what many may not know about him is the fact that even though a wealthy young man, he participated in a number of pro-people advocacy, championing good governance causes and challenging governments and institutions to do the right thing.

On many occasions when some of our Igbo brothers in the civil service or in politics faced persecution by the Nigerian system, Charles Ahize was always available to intervene. In some occasions, he deployed his rich contacts within the political and business circles to ensure justice. Like most activists, he wasn’t always liked by the establishment, but that didn’t stop him from pushing on with any agitation he is convinced about.

There is probably a few people outside politics who had fought more battles to give the Igbos a voice than Charles Ahize. A believer in equity and justice, he campaigned vigorously for a Nigerian President of Igbo extraction in 2003, ploughing huge personal resources into projects and strategic media interventions that raised and sustained the consciousness that Ndigbo deserve to produce Nigeria’s President.

He stood firmly with the late Oyi of Oyi, Chief Chuba Okadigbo when some forces conspired to impeach him as the Senate President. He led demonstrations across Nigeria to shore up masses support for the late political philosopher and one of the few intellectuals to have ventured into the murky waters of Nigerian politics.

He was the go-to person to many Igbo undergraduates in University of Lagos and across other Nigerian universities when issues requiring financial or any kind of assistance arose, and he never disappointed. His huge support to students in Lagos and other young Igbo professionals earned him numerous accolades, including an award from the Enugu State Chapter of the Nigerian Union of Journalists as Man of the Year, alongside Chief Ogbonnaya Onu who was recognized as the Governor of the Year. He was also recognized alongside top Igbo personalities as one of the 100 Most Fascinating Igbo Personalities in 1994 alongside Igbo icons like the inspirational former premiere of Eastern Nigeria, Chief Michael Okpara.

As a social and human rights activist and an unapologetic fighter for political and economic justice for Ndigbo, Chief Charles Ahize’s aspiration to the Red Chambers of the most powerful legislature in Africa is in advancement of his longstanding desire to bring development to closer to the people and be part of the legislative processes that shall ensure that Ndigbo get what is due to them in the Nigerian union.

Ahize is courageous, tactful and passionate. His election into the Nigerian Senate would fill a huge gap left in the Nigerian Senate since strong and courageous Igbo voices like Chief Chuba Okadigbo left that chambers. He is going with a combination of iron-clad commitment for Igbo economic and political emancipation and a burning desire for improved living standard for the youths of Igbo land nay Nigeria.