Former House Of Reps Speaker, Agunwa Anakwe Is Dead

Chief Agunwa Anaekwe, a former Speaker of the House of Representatives during Nigeria’s short-lived Third Republic, has died at the age of 68.

Agunwa Anaekwe, who hails from Adazi in the Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra State, reportedly died on Saturday, June 5, 2025.

He served as Speaker from December 5, 1992, until November 17, 1993, when General Sani Abacha dissolved the democratic government following the annulment of the 1993 presidential election.

Anaekwe studied law at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), and had earlier attended Christ the King College (CKC) in Onitsha.

After his time in the House of Representatives, Anaekwe stepped away from active partisan politics for several years.

However, he later joined the All Progressives Congress (APC) and remained a member until his death. He was the second person from Anambra to serve as Speaker of the House, following Chief Edwin Ume-Ezeoke, who held the position between 1979 and 1983.

Anaekwe recently led a group of National Assembly members to meet with President Bola Tinubu, where they reportedly discussed a range of national issues.

Former Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Ngige, who is a long-time friend and political ally, confirmed Anaekwe’s death in a statement issued Saturday night.

Ngige expressed deep sorrow, describing Anaekwe’s passing as the fall of a political giant.

Ngige praised Anaekwe’s leadership style, saying he ran the House with wisdom, patience, and skill, which helped maintain stability even more than the Senate until the military takeover in 1993.

He also recalled Anaekwe’s support during his time as Anambra governor, especially during a tense period of political crisis and unpaid salaries under the previous administration. Ngige said Anaekwe stood by him in efforts to end the influence of political godfathers and restore stability in the state.

He described Anaekwe’s death as a major loss, saying it leaves behind a deep gap in Nigerian politics.

“May the good Lord comfort the family, the government, and our people in Anambra State and Nigeria in general, on this colossal loss, just as we pray that the good Lord will grant his soul eternal rest,” Ngige said in the statement.

KanyiDaily also reported that Cornelius Olatunji Adebayo, a former governor of Kwara State and one-time senator, recently died.