Jim Ifeanyichukwu Nwobodo

James Ifeanyichukwu Nwobodo (born 9 May 1940) is a Nigerian businessman and politician who was governor of Anambra State (1979–1983) during the Second Nigerian Republic and was Senator for Enugu East Senatorial District in Enugu State (1999–2003). In 2003, he ran unsuccessfully in the Nigerian Presidential elections.

Background Jim Ifeanyichukwu Nwobodo was born on 9 May 1940 in Agyaragu, Lafia, Nassarawa State.

He completed his secondary school education in 1956 at Government School, Awka in what is now Anambra State, then attended St. Peter's College, Zaria (1956–1959).

Nwobodo is married to Patricia (Pat), and they have two high school aged kids, Jim and Pat Jr. and in October 1978, was elected NPP chairman for the old Anambra State. He contested the 1979 elections and on 1 October 1979 was sworn into office as the first executive Governor of Anambra State. He also contributed to the founding of the Nnamdi Azikiwe University (NAU): the Awka campus of ASUT became the take-off ground of the NAU when it came into being in 1991.

He ran for reelection in October 1983, but was defeated by Christian Onoh of the National Party of Nigeria (NPN). The election was marred by widespread intimidation, violence and vote-rigging.

Period of military rule After the Military under General Muhammadu Buhari took control in December 1983, he was imprisoned for a period. When Sani Abacha came into power he was appointed a member of the constitutional commission. In 1995, he was appointed Minister of Youth and Sports. As the country moved towards democracy, he was a member of the Social Democratic Party (SDP), the United Nigeria Congress Party (UNCP) and later the Grassroots Democratic Movement (GDM). He was a founding member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Senator In April 1999, Jim Nwobodo was elected Senator for the Enugu East constituency of the Federal Republic of Nigeria on the PDP platform, taking office in May 1999. He was appointed Chairman of the Senate Committee on Internal Affairs.

During the 1998/1999 gubernatorial elections in Enugu State, Nwobodo had supported Dr. Chimaroke Nnamani, who was elected.

However, the two men fell out later. Nwobodo played a leading role in the unsuccessful effort to stop the 2003 re-election of Nnamani.

Towards the end of his Senate term, he temporarily transferred to the United Nigeria People's Party (UNPP), running as a Presidential Candidate in the 2003 General elections.

Later career In 2008, Nwobodo headed an Action Committee on the South East to resolve factional struggles in the PDP in that area.

In June 2009, the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) restored the license of the Savannah Bank, in which Jim Nwobodo holds a major stake, in compliance with a February 2009 Appeal Court ruling in Abuja.