Benjamin Benedict Apugo

Benjamin Benedict Apugo (born 5th November 1951)[1] is a Nigerian politician, philanthropist and businessman, he is a founding father of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) in 1998 and a current Board of Trustees Member of the All Progressive Congress (APC).[2][3][4]Party. He is from Ibeku in Abia State, Nigeria. In 2006, Apugo contested for the National Chairman under PDP,[5][6] his then political party. In 2020, he emerged winner of Business Hallmark's Outstanding Political Leadership Award for the year 2020.[7][8] In 2020, Apugo had in a statement alleged former governor Theodore Orji of having looted the state treasury during his eighth years administration between 2007 and 2015.[9][10]

Prince B.B Apugo
Portrait of Prince B.B Apugo in a blue traditional regalia
Member, National Board of Trustees
Personal details
Born (1951-11-05) 5 November 1951 (age 72)
Abia State, Nigeria
CitizenshipNigerian
Political partyAll Progressive Congress
Children16
Parent(s)Prince Joseph Ihejirika Apugo
Princess Harriet Akpanu Apugo

Early life and education

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Apugo was born to the family of late Prince Joseph Apugo Ihejirika and Princess Harriet Apkanu Apugo of Umuakaka ruling house, Nkata in Umuahia Ibeku, Abia State Nigeria,[11] A traditionalist who was recently honoured by the Abia State Council for Arts and Culture[12] and has the title "Ochiaga of Ibeku"[13] or "Oparaukwu Ibeku".[14] In 1979, he contested for the then Imo State Deputy Chairmanship of the National Party of Nigeria (NPN) and won the election. B.B, as he is popularly known, joined the National Republican Convention (NRC) party and became a member of the National Executive Council of the Party.

Prince Apugo attended St. Mary's Catholic School in Ibeku, St Michael's School Idima, Abam and Xaview College Etiti-Ulo, Bende for his primary and secondary education.[15]

Career

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Prince B.B Apugo flagging of campaign for the National Party of Nigeria in the early 70s

Apugo joined the National Party of Nigeria (NPN) when he was 26 years old. In 2007, he contested for National Chairman of the People's Democratic Party.

In 2023, he endorsed the current Abia State ruling party, Labor Party, (LP) and current Governor, Dr. Alex Otti, without party-bias, despite being a member of the APC .[16][17][18]

In former times, Apugo has also endorsed prominent figures in the history of Nigerian politics, such as Ibrahim Babangida, Alex Ekwueme and Atiku Abubakar.

References

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  1. ^ Njoku, O.N (2006). Ibeku in Igbo History (1st ed.). Ibadan, Nigeria. p. 203. ISBN 978-978-029-694-0.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  2. ^ III, Admin (2017-01-31). "Pushing for APC as alternative government in Abia". Blueprint (newspaper). Retrieved 2024-07-18.
  3. ^ Adetayo, Olalekan (2019-07-07). "South-East govs should join APC for better bargaining power – BoT member, Apugo". The Punch. Retrieved 2024-07-18.
  4. ^ Daily Trust (2017-02-02). "We will wait till 2023 for Igbo presidency — Apugo - Daily Trust". Media Trust. Retrieved 2024-07-19.
  5. ^ "Prince B.B Apugo". YouTube.
  6. ^ AllAfrica (2007-09-28). "Nigeria: Apugo - Redefining PDP Chairmanship Race". AllAfrica.
  7. ^ Ezugwu, Obinna (2020-11-12). "BusinessHallmark to honour APC Chieftain, Prince B.B. Apugo - Business Hallmark". hallmarknews.com. Retrieved 2024-07-18.
  8. ^ Cyril (2020-11-24). "Wike, Apugo, Akpanudoedehe, Okonkwo, others honoured at Hallmark Awards". The Sun Nigeria. Retrieved 2024-07-19.
  9. ^ Nigeria, News Agency Of (2020-08-25). "Senator Orji's feud with Abia APC chieftain escalates". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 2024-07-18.
  10. ^ Leadership (newspaper) (2024-02-09). "Abia: Court Adjourns Sen Orji's N1.5b Defamation Suit Against Apugo". Leadership. Retrieved 2024-07-19.
  11. ^ Allafrica (2004-11-05). "Nigeria: Apugo: a Conciliator And His Celebration". AllAfrica.
  12. ^ "I Cherish Our Culture That's Why I Promote It- B.B Apugo - News Starlet". 2023-06-20. Retrieved 2024-07-18.
  13. ^ Njoku, O.N (2006). Ibeku in Igbo History (1st ed.). Ibadan, Nigeria. p. 207. ISBN 978-978-029-694-0.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  14. ^ Obani, Felix (2021-08-30). "Prince BB Apugo performs traditional rites, as Ibeku people commences 2021 New Yam Festival. -". Retrieved 2024-07-18.
  15. ^ Njoku, O.N (2006). Ibeku in Igbo History (1st ed.). Ibadan, Nigeria. pp. 201–212. ISBN 978-978-029-694-0.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  16. ^ Uzoukwu, Amarachi (2024-04-05). "APC Chieftain Prince BB Apugo Commends State's Advancement Under Gov Otti, Says Abia Has Come To Stay". Retrieved 2024-07-18.
  17. ^ Ezugwu, Obinna (2024-04-04). "APC chieftain, Prince Benjamin Apugo commends Alex Otti's developmental strides in Abia". hallmarknews.com. Retrieved 2024-07-18.
  18. ^ Newscritic (2022-08-23). "B.B Apugo Endorses Obi Aguocha For House Of Rep — ABN TV". Retrieved 2024-07-18.