Okadigbo also known as the Oyi of Oyi was Vice presidential aspirant of the All Nigeria People’s Party (ANPP) with Mohammad Buhari, as leader of the ticket.
Unlike other Igbo politicians who aligned themselves with their Igbo kinsmen, Okadigbo aligned himself with the North and had more respect for the Northern region and its people.
Okadigbo attended the rally which was held in Kano State Nigeria.
Apart from the Governor of Kano State, no other ANPP Governor was in attendance which was unusual.
Aware of Okadigbo’s respiratory health challenge (asthma), the then federal government under the reign of Chief Olusegun Obasanjo did not want the rally to proceed.
Security personnel mounted the gate to prevent entry, but this did not sit well with the Kano State Governor; Malam Ibrahim Shekarau, so he ordered the youths to bring down the gate allowing opposition figures to enter.
Police in order to instill calmness released tear gas which they allegedly poured on ANPP leaders in the rally.
According to Hajiya Naja’tu Mohammad report to Voice Of America (VOA), Okadigbo’s body was allegedly soaked with the offensive smelling liquid.
He lost control of his breathe after inhaling the substance and the other party men administered first aid on him in a bid to revive him.
He eventually gave up the ghost in his Asokoro home, Abuja a day or two after the tear gas event.
Many still believed that there is more to his dæth.
