Toba Owojaiye reportingÂ
Abuja , NigeriaÂ
We announce the passing of Chukwuemeka Ezeife, the former governor of Anambra state, at the age of 85. The demise occurred on Thursday around 6 pm, as confirmed by a statement made available to Truth Live News from the Ezeife family.
The statement, signed by Rob Ezeife on behalf of the Ezeife Dynasty of Igbo-Ukwu, mourned the loss of their distinguished son, highlighting Ezeife’s roles as a federal permanent secretary, the inaugural executive governor of Anambra state, political adviser to the president, and a former presidential aspirant.
The sad incident happened at the Federal Medical Centre, Abuja, where all attempts to revive him proved abortive.
The announcer assured that additional information about the deceased and the arrangements for his state burial will be disclosed in due course.
Ezeife’s political journey saw him elected as governor of Anambra under the Social Democratic Party (SDP) during Nigeria’s third republic in 1992. His term was cut short by the ascendancy of Sani Abacha, the ex-military ruler, in 1993. Ezeife’s academic prowess is underscored, having earned a BSc in Economics from the University College Ibadan, followed by a masters and PhD from Harvard University.
Post-governorship, he continued his engagement in political matters and was appointed as a special adviser on political matters by ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo during Nigeria’s fourth republic in 1999.
The news of Chukwuemeka Ezeife’s passing marks the end of an era, leaving behind a legacy that intertwines political leadership and academic accomplishment. He will be fondly remembered as an astute diplomat, a strong South East stakeholder and a man whose presence lighted up any room.