Chief Chukwuemeka Ezeife, who served as the first executive governor of Anambra State in the Third Republic, has died at the age of 85.
He passed away on Thursday evening around 6pm at the Federal Medical Centre in Abuja.
This was announced in a statement issued by his family signed by Rob Ezeife on behalf of the Ezeife Dynasty of Igbo-Ukwu.
Ezeife was elected governor in 1992 on the platform of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) during the brief period of democracy before the military takeover by Gen Sani Abacha in 1993.
He had an accomplished career as a former federal permanent secretary and was appointed as political adviser by President Olusegun Obasanjo when democracy was restored in 1999.
The statement said more details about funeral arrangements for the deceased elder statesman will be announced later by the family.
Governor Charles Soludo of Anambra State is expected to lead an official government delegation to pay their last respects. Ezeife was one of the major voices advocating for Igbo presidency in Nigeria.
He obtained his BSc in Economics from the University College, Ibadan and later earned a masters degree and PhD from Harvard University, United States. He was 85 years old at the time of his passing.
Credit: The Nigeria Lawyer