Asari Dokubo Biography: Age, State Of Origin, Education, Career, Wife, Family, Net Worth

Onyedika May 14, 2024

Asari Dokubo Biography

Melford Dokubo Goodhead Jr., popularly known as Asari Dokubo, is a prominent political figure of the Ijaw ethnic group in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria.

He was the president of the Ijaw Youth Council and later founded the Niger Delta People’s Volunteer Force, an armed group that became a significant force in the region. Dokubo is known for his activism, advocating for the control of resources and self-determination for the people of the Niger Delta.

He has been a controversial figure, with his actions and statements often sparking debate and attention. He was arrested and charged with treason in 2007 but later became a citizen of Benin Republic in 2013.

Asari Dokubo Age

Asari Dokubo is 60 years old as of 2024.

Asari Dokubo State Of Origin

Asari Dokubo hails from Buguma, which is located in Rivers State, Nigeria.

Asari Dokubo Early Life and Education

Asari Dokubo was born in 1964 into a middle-class Christian family in Rivers State. His father served as a court judge, and his mother was a housewife, together raising Asari alongside four other children.

Upon completing his secondary education, Dokubo’s academic journey led him to the University of Calabar, where he was accepted into the law program. However, his time at the university was cut short; after three years, in 1990, he left the institution, citing conflicts with university authorities as the reason for his departure.

This marked the beginning of a pattern, as Dokubo would later enroll at the Rivers State University of Science and Technology, only to leave once again before completing his degree, due to similar issues.

Asari Dokubo Career

In the late 1990s, after leaving university, Dokubo converted to Islam and adopted the name Mujahid Dokubo-Asari. His early attempts at regional politics saw him running for office in Rivers State in 1992 and 1998, but he was unsuccessful in both bids.

In 1998, Dokubo became a founding member and vice-president of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), an organization that played a pivotal role in advocating for the rights of the Ijaw people. The IYC issued the Kaiama Declaration, which articulated the Ijaw community’s grievances over the loss of control of their homeland and resources to the Nigerian state and multinational oil companies.

Dokubo’s leadership within the IYC was significant; he became its president in 2001 and steered the group towards an agenda of “Resource Control and Self Determination By Every Means Necessary.” Under his presidency, the IYC became more militant in its approach, leading to increased tensions with the Nigerian government.

By 2004, Dokubo had retreated from public view and founded the Niger Delta People’s Volunteer Force (NDPVF), which quickly became one of the most prominent armed groups in the Niger Delta. The NDPVF was largely funded by local and regional politicians who sought to profit from the region’s oil revenues.

The activities of the NDPVF under Dokubo’s leadership led to his arrest and charges of treason in 2007. However, his influence did not wane, and he continued to be a major political figure in the region. In 2013, Dokubo acquired citizenship of the Republic of Benin, adding an international dimension to his career and activism.

Throughout his career, Dokubo has remained a controversial figure. His anti-government stance and the militancy of the NDPVF have made him a folk hero to some, while others view him critically. Despite the varied opinions on his methods and politics, his impact on the Niger Delta’s struggle for resource control and self-determination is undeniable.

Asari Dokubo Controversies

Asari Dokubo has been involved in several controversies throughout his career. Here are some notable instances:

Weapon Display: In a video that went viral, Dokubo was seen brandishing two AK-47 rifles and making threatening remarks against the Igbos, an ethnic group in Nigeria. This incident raised questions about inequality before the law, as Dokubo was not arrested or summoned for questioning despite the public display of weapons.
Political Accusations: Dokubo has been vocal in the political arena, often making bold accusations. For example, he accused President Bola Tinubu of fueling the crisis in Rivers State by empowering Nyesom Wike, the minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), to exert control over the state.
Legal Challenges: Dokubo has faced legal challenges, including an arrest in 2005 on charges of treasonable felony and unlawful assembly related to his leadership of the NDPVF. He was detained for 22 months before being released on bail.
Public Statements: Dokubo’s public statements have often sparked controversy. He has made provocative comments about various ethnic groups and political figures, which have sometimes led to public outcry and debate.
Allegations of Harassment: There have been allegations against Dokubo regarding harassment and unlawful possession of firearms. However, he has refuted these allegations, maintaining his stance as a political activist.
Death Rumors: Dokubo has also been the subject of death rumors, which he addressed in a Facebook Live session, stating that he had received threats over his socio-political positions but remained undeterred.

Asari Dokubo Wife and Children

Asari Dokubo was married to Alhaja Zainab Asari Dokubo, who unfortunately passed away in a motor accident in 2016. He is currently married to Boma Dokubo. Together, they have four children named Amirah, Hassan, Hussain, and Osama.

Asari Dokubo Net Worth

Asari Dokubo had an estimated net worth of $5 million as of 2024.