Sam Obi

Samuel Onyeka Obi (1961/2 – 3 April 2021) was a Nigerian politician and pastor. He was a speaker of Delta State house of assembly and former acting governor of Delta State from 2010 to 2011. Until his death, he was the general overseer of Oracle of God Ministry, Asaba, Delta State.

The Right Honourable
Sam Obi
Member representing Ika North East constituency in Delta State house of assembly
In office
2003–2015
10th Speaker of Delta State house of assembly
In office
29 July 2010 – 7 June 2011
Preceded byMartin Okonta
Succeeded byVictor Ochei
Governor of Delta State
Acting
In office
10 November 2010 – 10 January 2011
Preceded byEmmanuel Uduaghan
Succeeded byEmmanuel Uduaghan
Personal details
Born
Samuel Onyeka Obi

1961 or 1962 (age 61–62)
Died (aged 59)
Asaba, Delta State, Nigeria
Cause of deathUndisclosed illness
NationalityNigerian
Occupation
  • Politician
  • pastor

Career

Obi started his political career as a councillor, before becoming a local government chairman in Delta State. During the first term of the former governor of Delta State James Ibori, he served as the chairman, board of directors of The Pointer Newspaper which was owned by the Delta State government.[1][2] In 2003, he contested and won a seat in the Delta State house of assembly, representing Ika North East and served for three terms which ended in 2015.[3] On 29 July 2010, he was elected as the 10th speaker of Delta State house of assembly to replace the 9th speaker Martin Okonta representing Ika South constituency who was removed by the Court of appeal, Abuja on 12 May 2010.[4][5]

On 10 November 2010, he became the acting governor of Delta State after the Court of Appeal, Benin annulled the 2007 Delta State gubernatorial election that produced the governor of the state Emmanuel Uduaghan. The Court of Appeal, Benin nullified the election on 9 November 2010 and ordered a re-run within 90 days.[6] On 10 January 2011, Obi handed over to Emmanuel Uduaghan after he won the by-election that was held on 6 January 2011.[7][8][9][10] On 7 June 2011, he was replaced by Victor Ochei representing Aniocha North constituency as the 11th speaker of Delta State house of assembly after he nominated him to replace him.[11] He served as a special adviser in the first term of the governor of Delta State Ifeanyi Okowa and left in 2019.[12]

Later in his life, he founded the Oracle of God Ministries Church, Asaba where he was the general overseer until his death.[13][14]

Personal life

Obi is from Ibiegwa quarters, Ute-Okpu, Ika North East, Delta State, Nigeria. He was a prince and member of Ute-Okpu royal family. His elder brother HRM Obi Solomon Chukwuka I is the current Obi of Ute-Okpu kingdom.[15]

Death

Obi died on 3 April 2021, at his residence in Asaba, Delta State, Nigeria after a brief illness.[16]

References
  1. Onabu, Omon Julius (6 April 2021). "Okowa, Others Mourn Former Delta Acting Gov, Obi". This Day Newspaper. Retrieved 7 April 2021.
  2. Brisibe, Perez (5 April 2021). "Sam Obi was a bastion of peace, a loyal party man – Askia". Vanguard Newspaper. Retrieved 7 April 2021.
  3. "Former Delta Acting Governor, Sam Obi, Is Dead". Channels TV. 3 April 2021. Retrieved 7 April 2021.
  4. Austin, Ogwuda (30 July 2010). "Delta House gets new Speaker". Vanguard Newspaper. Retrieved 7 April 2021.
  5. Ige, Ise-Oluwa (12 May 2010). "Appeal court sacks Delta Speaker". Vanguard Newspaper. Retrieved 7 April 2021.
  6. Austin, Ogwuda (11 November 2010). "Delta Acting Governor, Sam Obi, pledges stability". Vanguard Newspaper. Retrieved 7 April 2021.
  7. Ogwuda, Austin (10 January 2011). "Delta new CJ swears in Uduaghan today". Vanguard Newspaper. Retrieved 7 April 2021.
  8. Agande, Ben (22 December 2010). "INEC fixes Delta rerun for Jan 6". Vanguard Newspaper. Retrieved 7 April 2021.
  9. "Nigeria: Ruling party wins rerun state election". Taiwan News. 8 January 2011. Retrieved 7 April 2021.
  10. Oke, George; Akinrefon, Dapo; Ndujihe, Clifford; Aziken, Emmanuel (9 November 2010). "Court nullifies Uduaghan's election". Vanguard Newspaper. Retrieved 7 April 2021.
  11. Austin, Ogwuda; Ahon, Festus (8 June 2011). "Ochei emerges new Delta House Speaker". Vanguard Newspaper. Retrieved 7 April 2021.
  12. Osuyi, Paul (4 April 2021). "Delta loses former acting governor, Sam Obi". The Sun Newspaper. Retrieved 7 April 2021.
  13. Ahon, Festus (3 April 2021). "BREAKING: Former Delta Acting Governor, Sam Obi, is dead". Vanguard Newspaper. Retrieved 7 April 2021.
  14. Okwara, Amaechi (5 April 2021). "Ex-Delta Ag-Gov Sam Obi's death shocking — Okowa". Blueprint Newspaper. Retrieved 7 April 2021.
  15. "Ute-Okpu monarch expresses concern over youths' lack of respect for elders". The Nation Newspaper. 10 April 2015. Retrieved 7 April 2021.
  16. Odunsi, Wale (4 April 2021). "Sam Obi, ex-Delta acting governor is dead". Daily Post Nigeria. Retrieved 7 April 2021.
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