Steve Ugbah, East Bay Professor, Arrested in Nigeria

Welcome home, Steve

​Steve Ugbah, a marketing professor at Cal State East Bay, was frustrated by the lack of progress in his birthplace of Benue, Nigeria -- which is why he decided to return home and run for governor.

But that experience didn't go so well for the Dublin, Calif., resident who was arrested yesterday in Nigeria, just a month after his failed gubernatorial run in Benue.

Ugbah lost to incumbent Gabriel Suswam in late April. According to the San Jose Mercury News, Ugbah claimed the election was rigged so he took the case to court. His aide, Charles Ayede, was then killed on May 13 during an ambush.

Ugbah accused Suswa's party of the killing, saying he believed he was the intended target, although authorities chalked it up to a robbery, the newspaper reports. Yesterday, Ugbah was arrested along with members of his own party. Police said they were riling up the community and creating a public disturbance a week before his opponent's inauguration.

Nigerian news reports say Ugbah has since been released from jail, although his family has not been able to confirm that, the Merc reports.

His family was shocked when Ugbah, who has been a professor for more than two decades, decided to travel home to Benue and run for governor. He has always According to his gubernatorial Web site, Ugbah wanted to create a "vibrant and dynamic economy."

"As concerned Benue State citizens, we have resolved not to stand by idly and see our collective destiny wallow in the midst of unprecedented opportunities. That is the prime reasons why I have decided to seek the office of Governor of Benue state under the platform of Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN)."

So much for trying to better your country.

Follow us on Twitter at @SFWeekly and @TheSnitchSF