Former Anambra State governor, Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife, has passed away.
The announcement was made in a press release issued on Friday by Chief Rob Ezeife on behalf of the Ezeife family.
It was announced that Dr. Ezeife breathed his last at the Federal Medical Centre in Abuja on Thursday.
Born on November 20, 1938, Dr. Ezeife, affectionately known as ‘Okwadike,’ served as the governor of Anambra State from January 1992 to November 1993 during the aborted Third Republic.
The statement, which noted his noteworthy positions as a former Federal Permanent Secretary, a political advisor to the President, and a presidential candidate, expressed the family’s deep sadness at the passing of their illustrious son.
The statement read, “On behalf of the Ezeife Dynasty of Igbo-Ukwu, I wish to announce the promotion to glory of our most distinguished son, ‘Okwadike,’ Dr. Chukwuemeka Ezeife, CON. This sad event took place yesterday at 6 pm at the Federal Medical Centre, Abuja.”
The family also mentioned that more details about the late Dr. Ezeife and the arrangements for his state burial would be provided in due course.
During his tenure as governor, Dr. Ezeife, elected on the Social Democratic Party (SDP) platform, focused on strategic planning rather than immediate developmental needs.
Notably, he transferred Nnamdi Azikiwe University and Federal Polytechnic, Oko, to the federal government, ensuring their survival during the subsequent military regime led by General Sani Abacha.
In the Nigerian Fourth Republic, Dr. Ezeife, a self-described social democrat, served as the Presidential Adviser on Political Matters to President Olusegun Obasanjo.
