Forgotten until a recent scuffle with Minister Wike, ex-rep member Nicholas Ukachukwu returns to the limelight, writes Esther Adedoyin in this EX-NASS MEMBERS SERIES
To many, the name Nicholas Ukachukwu may not ring a bell. At least, not until the demolition of a choice property in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital territory, by the minister, Nyesom Wike, ignited a war of words between both members of the political elite.
Recently, Mr Ukachukwu condemned the demolition of his 214-hectare property in Asokoro, Abuja. He accused FCT Minister Wike of ordering the demolition without a court order, despite two pending court orders restraining such action. Ukachukwu claimed the demolition was due to his Igbo ethnicity and not a violation of any law, as all legal titles were obtained. He called on President Bola Tinubu to intervene and protect his rights.
This matter shot Ukachukwu back into the public limelight. In 1999, he was elected to represent the House of Representatives – guess where? – a constituency in Abuja, Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Here’s what you need to know about Nicholas Ukachukwu, a former member of the National Assembly.
Born on March 20, 1969, Nicholas studied at the University of Nigeria for his Bachelor’s degree and later pursued a Master’s degree at the University of Manchester in England.
He embarked on his journey as a businessman by joining his father’s company. He reportedly oversaw the importation and distribution of various commodities such as sugar, cement, rice, and fertiliser. He then started his organisation with diversified interests in oil and gas, real estate, construction, agriculture, education, and media.
Apart from his thriving business endeavours, Nicholas Ukachukwu is a prominent figure in politics, notably as a founding member of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP). His political journey began in 1999 when he secured the seat to represent the Bwari Abuja Municipal Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives.
In 2006, Ukachukwu made a significant decision to join the Progressive People’s Alliance (PPA) after experiencing a setback within the PDP. Despite the challenges, his determination led him to contest the Anambra State Governorship election under the PPA banner. He lost the bid and returned to the PDP to pursue his political aspirations. However, in the 2010 gubernatorial race, he contested as the candidate of the Hope Democratic Party and then returned to the PDP after an unsuccessful attempt.
In 2018, Nicholas Ukachukwu switched from the PDP to the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and won the primary election for the Anambra South Senatorial District. However, his victory was successfully challenged in court, and he lost the race before it started.
After the passing of his wife (the late Mrs Nnenna Millicent, on 19th November 2020 due to a ghastly motor accident), Nicholas Ukachukwu found love again. His fiancée, Mitchel, shared the news of their engagement on her Instagram page on December 4, 2023.
The tiff with Wike shows Nicholas Ukachukwu to be a resilient figure in Nigerian politics. His ability to navigate the complexities of political life, switching parties when necessary or convenient and continuing to seek opportunities to serve the public, has garnered both admiration and criticism. However, others criticise him for what they perceive as opportunism and a lack of consistent ideological principles. Despite the mixed opinions, Ukachukwu’s political journey is typical of the average Nigerian politician.
