JUST IN: Former House of Reps Speaker is Dead

Former House of Reps Speaker is Dead

Agunwa Anakwe, a former Speaker of the House of Representatives, has died. He passed away on Saturday, though the cause of death remains unclear. Reports suggest he had been managing an illness for some time.

His death was confirmed on Monday by Law Mefor, Anambra State Commissioner for Information, during a phone call.

Anakwe, who led Nigeria’s third House of Representatives in 1992 at the age of 36, served under the interim civilian government of Ernest Shonekan. His tenure came to an abrupt end in 1993 when General Sani Abacha seized power in a military coup. During his time in office, Anakwe was known for opposing the push for additional local governments, which he viewed as a ploy to prolong the country’s transition to democracy.

Former Anambra State governor and ex-labour minister Chris Ngige paid tribute to Anakwe in a statement, praising his leadership and character. Ngige recalled Anakwe’s steady hand in guiding the House with “dexterity, wisdom and patience,” which he said brought more stability to the lower chamber compared to its Senate counterpart during that turbulent period.

Ngige also remembered Anakwe as a trusted political ally, particularly during the battle against political godfathers in Anambra State. He credited Anakwe with supporting efforts to restore order in the state after years of unrest, unpaid salaries, and school closures under the previous administration.

Ngige recounted his final visit with Anakwe in late March, when he learned of the former Speaker’s illness and upcoming surgery. Reflecting on their time together that evening, he said Anakwe was in good spirits despite his condition. “Death, the biggest thief in the night, was lurking around to steal our friend and brother,” Ngige wrote.

He described Anakwe’s passing as a significant loss, lamenting the scarcity of honest and principled figures in Nigerian politics today.