Nigerian Lawyer, Chuks Iloegbunam Vies for Historic Political Office in Brazil

Adeyinka Olaiya/

A lawyer from Anambra State, Barrister Chuks Iloegbunam, is on the verge of making history as the first Nigerian to be elected as a Councillor in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Iloegbunam is a candidate much favored to win the councillorship seat in the most prosperous local government area of the metropolitan city of Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Born in Oka, Anambra State, Iloegbunam graduated from the University of Calabar where he studied law in 1987 and was called to the Bar in 1989. He arrived Brazil in 1993 after several years of agitating for democracy in Nigeria, where he was among the militants who fought for democracy in favor of the late MKO Abiola’s June 12 victory in 1993.

Speaking with NewsmakersNG’s Editor-at-Large at his residence in Jabaquara, Sao Paulo, Iloegbunam said, “I am a proud Nigerian. I will do Nigeria great. I will use my office as a counselor to bring unity among Nigerian ethnic groups living in Brazil. I will promote accessible English lessons among African families and their children here in Brazil. I will encourage the construction of a mall in the centre of Sao Paulo city (Braz) for Nigerians and all other African immigrant families to stop hawking on the streets of Sao Paulo. I will use my office to promote intercultural facilities between Nigeria and Brazil, and I will facilitate the creation of job opportunities for all Nigerians in Brazil. I am a supporter of all Nigerian associations in Brazil.

Owner of a leading English school (WAY-SIDE language school) in Brazil, Iloegbunam is a candidate on the platform of the PSDB, the political party of the present Mayor of Sao Paulo City, Mayor Bruno Covas.

“This is the time to join hands and make Nigeria and Africa proud in Brazil. We need to support ourselves irrespective of our tribe, let’s forget about our differences back home in Africa and make Africa proud,” the candidate’s wife, Mrs Wanda Iloegbunam (Wanda Chantels Interchange 2) told NewsmakersNG.

“Let us mobilize our families, friends and relatives to support our brother, the number is 45191, vote Chuks Iloegbunam for councillor,” Ethan Nicholas Aigbokhan, a member of the Nigerian community in Brazil, said.